310 WILD SPORTS IX THE FAR WEST. 



top began to bend slowly down the hill ; then with a 

 loud crash, and smashing its branches in the fall, the tree 

 measured its length on the ground. No bear appeared ; 

 the nest was empty, though there could be no doubt 

 it had lately been tenanted, for the sides were beauti- 

 fully smooth and clean. There was a bough about 

 five feet below the hole, where the bear went in and 

 out, on which an Indian must formerly have stood, and 

 tried to make an opening with his tomahawk, but 

 without success; probably the bear, disturbed by the 

 blows, had made his way out in time. Judging by 

 the bark, this must have occurred about four or five 

 years ago. 



While we were looking at it, Conwell asked what 

 the dogs w^ere about ; they appeared to be very eagerly 

 licking up something from the ground, and we found 

 that, accidentally, we had cut down a tree with honey 

 in it. The bees were all torpid Avith the cold, and 

 the dogs Avere enjoying the honey, which the breaking 

 boughs had brought to light. Our plans were soon 

 arranged ; Conwell went to look for a deer ; I took 

 my tomahawk to cut a trough, and was soon busy 

 about the upper part of the trunk, which was sound 

 enough. As it was freezing, and the honey would not 

 run, there was no occasion to make the trough very 

 deep ; so it was soon finished, and I loaded it with 

 gi-eat lumps of the frozen delicacy. This done, I col- 

 lected wood and made a fire, expecting we should pass 

 the night here ; but just then I heard the report of Con- 

 well's gun quite near, folloAved by his hail : I ansAvered, 

 and Avas soon by his side. He had killed a large fat 



