MY FIRST ELK. ' 75 



having actually killed one. But Yankee miners kill 

 everything under the effect of several gin cocktails, and 

 not unfrequently end up by killing each other. So one 

 fine morning I saddled my old plug, and once more 

 plunged into the woods with only a boy, who, from an 

 unconquerable aversion to hard work in any shape ex- 

 cept walking, and from his extreme taciturnity and 

 fondness for the woods, might have been the youthful 

 " silent hunter " of a novel. We went up the river, 

 as I intended to do a little prospecting on my own 

 account, and with this object in view had a good stock 

 of grub for a fortnight. 



'^ Rolling stones gather no moss.^^ It may be so, but, 

 like all similar proverbs, this may suit any meaning. I 

 do know, however, that when, surrounded by home 

 comforts, &c., I look back on those happy woodland 

 days, with no lawyers, no doctors, no tea fights, muffin 

 worries, and all the other ills that flesh is heir to, I often 

 long for the rifle and blankets again. 



For the first few days we saw scarcely any game, only 

 a few deer; so I camped and prospected for a couple 

 of days for ]jlacers, and also tried some leads with my 

 blowpipe. I got plenty of colour, but not enough to 

 form a company for the next spring, and the rock was 

 not above ten dollars, if I remember rightly. And there, 

 kind reader, and especially young reader, if you have a 

 longing to try your luck out west, let me strongly advise 

 you to acquire all the knowledge of metals and the assay- 

 ing of them that you can, especially with the blowpipe. 

 The benefit is incalculable, as if you are on your own 

 hook, you can always combine business with pleasure, 

 and if you are looking for a job, I can safely affirm that 

 all and any can get profitable and immediate employment. 



