120 THE BEST OF THE FUN 



CHAPTER XVII 



ROCKIES IN SEPTEMBER 



The first entry of any interest I find was the occasion 

 of our shifting camp, after two days' sojourn on the edge 

 of a lovely natural park, and, as usual, with a bubbling 

 stream within biscuit-throw of the camp fire. During 

 these days we had provisioned ourselves with fresh deer- 

 meat, and had ridden far and wide in search of elk tracks, 

 but without any sufficient result. It was now determined 

 by our guide and mentor that we should at least reach 

 ground frequented by big buck, and whence the possible 

 haunts of elk might also be attained ; so, leaving ourselves 

 in his hands, we set forth obediently and hopefully. 



The mules were packed with the customary blessings, 

 and we rode off at ten o'clock through park and heavy 

 fir timber, issuing about midday upon an area of burnt 

 timber, such as constitutes one of the most curious features 

 of the backwoods. At some period within the last ten 

 years a forest fire had swept over this, as in more than one 

 direction its devastating work could at this moment be 

 marked in progress, as you stood upon any of the overlook- 

 ing hills. The great pine-trees had fallen as they burned, 

 and the huge charred logs lay athwart the path in every 

 direction, while here and there a half-burnt monster stood 

 erect and gaunt. Grass and weeds rose to an unusual 

 height among the (kbris : and deer, more especially the 

 older bucks, delight in nothing so much as this dreary 

 sepulchre of the forest. For a horseman it is the most 

 difficult ground of all over which to make progress ; and 

 for a pack train it would seem impossible. But, lightly 

 laden, the mules in single file will follow a leader with ease, 

 threading their way in his footsteps and jumping each 

 prone log after his example ; while at every hundred yards 

 or so deer would jump up — stopping probably on the 

 nearest rise to stare curiously at the queer intruders, then 

 resuming their kangaroo-like bounds into the far distance. 



The sun beat hotly down upon the dry grass, and a 

 warm breeze helped to stir the black dust as the cavalcade 



