160 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



against a large pine-log. The other passed out of sight. 

 This was good. . I bled and drew my Deer, laid him across 

 a log, and started on a return hunt, and to get my horse to 

 bring him in. 



A couple of Antelope drew me out of the way,, and it was 

 afternoon before I got in, and just at the camp I met my 

 friend, with my Deer and one of his own on his horse. He 

 had shot a fine two-year-old buck, had come across mine 

 also, and brought them both in. Such things, dear reader, 

 make a man feel good-natured. 



It was yet but four o' clock, and we laid out for a regu- 

 lar meal. Reed was an adept at flap- jacks; I undertook the 

 coffee, the tongue, the liver, the tenderloin, with Saratoga 

 chips — and, above all, onions, for Eeed said: 



" I can eat onions till I can't see! " 



The dogs had had their surfeit in the hunt; and when we 

 had mused before the waning fire till dusk set in, had gone 

 over the pleasant incidents of the day, and other days, and 

 . when we were rolled in our blankets, there were two men 

 in that tent who had nothing to ask of anyone, and were at 

 peace with the world. 



Next morning we loaded our Deer on the two horses, and 

 set out, afoot, for Reed's home, where I was to deposit my 

 Deer for my son's partner to carry along as he came with 

 lumber from the mill. I was loath to go back to my tent 

 alone that night, and did not. My friend and his good wife 

 insisted on my staying over the night. I did so. Putting 

 my shotgun together, I got half a dozen widgeon from the 

 river — a rarity to them, for they keep nothing but a rifle. 

 With many a tale of the great outside world, and music on 

 the piccolo, I managed to make my entertainment not a 

 burden. 



The forenoon of the next day saw me at my camp again, 

 old George staked out in the bunch-grass, my lunch eaten, 

 and the hunt for the day taken up; for it was meat, now, 

 for four men and a woman, and I had undertaken to supply 

 the larder. I felt the solitude a little at first, for Reed 

 was a genial, intelligent man, and his company was pleasant. 



