45° 



RECREA TION. 



Mexico to kill an elk, if possible. The third 

 man of the party was Reed, our guide. He 

 had taken my husband out 6 consecutive 

 years, and was a man who could be de- 

 pended on. 



During the day, the new-comers were 

 told our experiences in this camp. What 

 interested them most was the fishing at the 

 little lake; so, on the following morning, 

 they must start for a string of trout. They 

 went, and after a very pleasant day, as they 

 said, returned with 65 good-sized fish. Per- 

 haps the number had something to do with 

 the " pleasant day." 



Several days later, camp was broken, and 

 we were off for the Hahn's-peak region and 

 a permanent camp. The first day, we 

 travelled in a snow storm. If you can im- 

 agine 6 weary people, like so many mum- 

 mies, riding Indian file, each in a rubber 

 coat, and hat pulled down over the ears, a 

 half-circle curve in every back — then you 

 will have us as we looked. We were indeed 

 glad to go into camp, and from the amount 

 of snow that fell, it seemed that we might 

 have to lay over several days. The snow 

 quickly disappeared, however, so but one 

 day was lost. 



As we neared the hunting-grounds, game 

 -, became abundant, especially pronghorns. 



Our objective point was finally reached 

 — a beautiful spot among towering mouiv 

 tains, green trees and pretty streams. One 

 day was occupied in making everything 

 comfortable and homelike. Then the men 

 declared a grand hunt was in order, and 

 must be had without delay. They stoutly 

 maintained that for some nights they had 

 heard, in their dreams, the whistling of 

 elk. 



The next morning they started together. 



M was the first to return, reporting a 



4-point buck killed. My husband separated 

 from him to try for an antelope, and was 

 successful, returning toward evening with a 

 young buck. 



Some days later, my husband prepared to 

 go to town, 15 miles away, for a few needed 

 supplies. It looked like a storm, and even 

 began to snow before he started. During 

 his absence, the other men put a barricade 

 around the front of the largest tent, so that 

 all should be comfortable in case we were 

 shut in for a number of days. Anxiously 

 we awaited the return of the absent one, for 

 it snowed as it can snow only in the moun- 

 tains. 



After what seemed a short time, consider- 

 ing the distance, and the rugged, slippery 

 trail, horse and rider appeared, covered with 

 snow and dripping. I was greatly relieved, 

 you may be sure. It snowed 2 days, then 

 the sun shone once more. 



When the hills were dry again, one of the 

 men appeared before us with this startling 

 announcement: 



" Now, ladies, we are going to be real 

 good to you, and will escort you to any 



nook or corner of the mountains for a big 

 hunt." 



Both of us wanted to go, but each had a 

 different point in view, so we separated at 

 camp. My husband and I hunted over the 

 hills, for several hours, without getting 

 sight of anything. To make matters worse, 

 several rifle-shots were heard in the dis- 

 tance, and I felt sure that my friend would 

 beat me. Approaching the summit of a hill, 

 we dismounted to inspect the other side on 

 foot, for it was good-looking ground for 

 antelope. We worked carefully along, and 

 at last lay flat on the very summit. 



Right below us was a bunch of prong- 

 horns. My husband raised his head to get a. 

 better view, when the watchful little animals, 

 were off in an instant. 



It was now or never. Rising quickly, I 

 fired. The first shot was too high. " Bang- 

 bang," went the rifle again; this time in trie- 

 right place. I saw a buck go tumbling, 

 headlong, strike a tree and stop. He was, 

 lying flat on his back, kicking, when I 

 reached him. How I got down that hill to* 

 my game is yet an unsettled question in my 

 mind. I do not remember anything except 

 that I was on foot, though it was more like 

 flying. One bullet had passed through the 

 heart, another through the shoulders. No. 

 wonder he tumbled. He was loaded on 

 my horse, while I rode my husband's. 



We had just reached camp when the 

 other hunters came up from another direc- 

 tion. Of course each had experiences to 

 tell that evening, as we sat around the fire. 

 Many were the congratulations showered 

 upon the women, for my friend, also, had 

 killed a buck. 



On October 6 we left our beautiful wood- 

 land retreat, turning our faces once more 

 toward the haunts of man. We were in no 

 hurry, traveling leisurely, and hunting by 

 the way. One evening, while sitting around 

 the camp-fire, we heard the most peculiar 

 sound one could imagine. It sounded like 

 the gradually rising wind, but after reach- 

 ing a certain pitch it descended, ending 

 with " ouk-ouk-ouk," the last tones being a. 

 whistle. 



I looked at Mrs. M , who turned her 



eyes toward me; then both looked at the: 

 guide. 



When we demanded an explanation, he 

 laughed. 



" Don't be alarmed," he said; " it's only 

 a male elk calling his cow." 



An elk hunt was at once decided upon 

 for the next day. The morning gave prom- 

 ise of a fine day. The way those men 

 stepped around reminded .one of a lot of 

 boys preparing for a rabbit hunt. Of course 

 we looked gloomy at the prospect of being 

 left alone all day, but it was only deception 

 on our part. We ventured to ask if they 

 intended to take us, and were politely told 

 we were not wanted. 



A short time after leaving camp, the hunt- 



