THE BIG BULL ELK OK COLORADO 361 



picketed horses — and round us sufficient deer, grouse, 

 and elk to make every day a sporting study. Slaughter has 

 place only so far as the larder demands, or a sample head 

 appears to justify. Our first day showed us that game 

 enough was in the country. Our second gave the result 

 I am about briefly to pencil this Sunday afternoon under 

 tent cover. 



We are (i) "the Judge," (2) myself, (3 and 4) two 

 " boys," rather older than either of us, who pack the horses, 

 pitch the camp, and do with a good will anything that may 

 be rec[uired. The cooking is a joint operation, depending 

 for its division of labour partly upon the accident of the 

 hour, and partly upon the measure in which each in- 

 dividual fancies his particular talent. Thus, one can make 

 " an elegant stew," another can produce quite " dandy 

 bread," a third "gives in to nobody" in the accomplish- 

 ment of putting Boston beans on the table, while all of us 

 wield the frying-pan as if to the manner born. For myself, 

 though a disciple in all these arts, I find that an expression 

 of admiration all round obviates the necessity of further 

 active participation, and not only saves me a good deal of 

 trouble but does away with risk of too many cooks. The 

 Judge, as by position and experience, as well as by the force 

 of a disposition active almost to restlessness, of course takes 

 the lead in this and every other branch of our present 

 pursuits. 



" An early start to-morrow morning. Judge, eh ? 'Twill 

 be Saturday, and the 1st of September besides." The Judge 

 was quite agreeable ; and after the usual breakfast at sun- 

 rise he and I were in the saddle by about seven. No great 

 hardship is there in early rising, when nine o'clock has been 

 the latest hour of bedtime. A chief part of those first few 

 nights on the Rockies is, indeed, spent in attempts, often 

 unavailing, to keep warm. The sunshine of the day has 

 been hot almost to scorching. The night air searches 

 through tent and bedding till you feel you almost as well 

 might be courting sleep in a refrigerator. And yet you 

 arise fresh and vigorous, and fit for anything, as you 

 imagine, until you are called upon to run afoot, when it is 

 brought to your mind that voii are working at an altitude of 



