156 BIG GAME OF NOETTI AMERICA. 



ing, and body dripping with the rain-like mist. He gave a 

 faint neigh, and my son exclaimed: 



" Father, it's Jack ! It's dear old Jack, and we are safe 

 home ! ' ' 



Then, grasping my hand, he said: 



"Father, God bless you ! you didn't bother me to-day ! " 



To show how serious the matter was, the other two of 

 our company got lost, and wandered off west; after laying 

 out all night, they fell in with some Indians, who fed them 

 and set them right. They had to travel forty miles to reach 

 the ranch and cabin that day. 



We had now all the meat we could carry. We were 

 anxious above measure for our lost comrades; so, as the 

 mist gave way next morning, after securing our buck, doe, 

 and fawn from the hills, we started home. Our suspense 

 was breathless as we neared the cabin and looked for some 

 sign of occupancy. My son's partner opened the door, and 

 Bates exclaimed: 



" Oh, Porter, I was never so glad to see* you before ! " 



To show the force of Bates' caution to me not to advise 

 him or debate with him. Porter said his companion totally 

 confused him with suggestions, doubts, opposition, till 

 finally he had to take his own way, even if he left the other 

 to die in the woods. 



The scene has changed. Another summer has gone; 

 another November has come. My stalwart boy has gone 

 East to get him a wife; his partner and the carpenters are 

 building him a house, and I have undertaken to iDrovide the 

 meat with my rifle. And it is still with the Mule Deer that 

 we have to do. Of all the camps I have ever made, this was 

 the most delightful, and has the most vivid and lasting 

 remembrance. At the head of a great canon running six 

 miles down to the Burnt River Valley; my umbrella-tent 

 pitched under a noble pine, around whose base swept the 

 cold, clear mountain stream from which my water-supply 

 for drinking and washing was derived; other pines in all 

 directions, clothing the shallow valleys putting down into 



