40 WILD 1'L(^\\'i:rs oi- Colorado. 



(Toini^ throiH'h the deserted l)uildinos were interested in readincf 

 the many inscriptions written on the logs. The names of Jackson 

 and Meeker were cut in a conspicuous pLace, but I do not think 

 they were i)Iaced there by the owners of the names. They had 

 httle desire to leave tlieir autographs, even in this secluded spot. 



About a mile from tlie old log house the men decided to 

 camp. It was a pretty spot just at the bend of the river and 

 under some fine old trees. The driver assured them it was 

 the very place where he had caught forty-five as fine speckled 

 trout as he had ev^er seen. This w^as enough, and in a remarkably 

 short time we saw our four friends each with a rod over his 

 shoulder and a fish-basket in his hand, going in different direc- 

 tions toward the river. They did not seem to care for the 

 company of each other, and we ladies were entirely forgotten. 



" Let 'em go," said Mr. Smith, with a knowing smile ; ** me 

 and Dick 11 gi\'e 'em a surprise. I know a spot where we can 

 get enough for dinner by the time you have the coffee made and 

 the table sot." 



While the driver had been taking care of his horses, Dick 

 had built with some stones a little fireplace and on them placed 

 the coffee-pot filled with good spring water, ready for boiling. 

 W'e started the fire, and then selecting a grassy spot we laid the 

 cloth and unpacked the basket. A monument of hard boiled 

 eggs adorned the center of the table, supj)orted on each side 

 by plates of sandwiches, fresh and delicious to look upon. Then 

 came the plate of cold roast ''fall" chicken, cut in i)ieccs just 



