414 RECREATION. 



24 of an hour and not finding her, we can give us a yarn about the big trout 

 concluded she had not been hit. you didn't get, or the bear that treed 



We were then following the top of you, or something else that happened 

 a ridge, and, continuing on it, we saw on former trips. 



a number of does and fawns. Long before daylight we were astir 



Finally, a 4-point buck stepped out of and soon ready for the hunt. Pard 



a thicket. Throwing his head up, he said he was going up on the range, 



was just in time to catch a bullet while I determined to find the old 



through the neck. Of course, he lay bear, if possible. For 2 hours I 



right down. hunted, but could not find any traces 



As it was nearly supper time, we of her. I believe now she was lying 



turned toward camp. Crossing a lit- dead near by. I did not fire a shot 



tie gulch, we climbed another ridge, all day; just sat around on logs 



which led right to camp. It was watching the deer. I can get a lot of 



the feeding hour, and bunch after enjoyment in merely looking at game. 



bunch of does and fawns were about. Along in the afternoon I wandered 



We had given up getting anything back to camp, where I was smoking 



more that evening, when I saw and dreaming when in came Pard. 



a magnificent buck feeding. I sent a He wore a look of intense disgust. I 



bullet through his heart with no knew something was wrong, but did 



trouble. He was so heavy we could not say anything. 



not hang him up ; so we slid him up a "I wish you would kick me !" he at 



pole placed against a tree. As it was last exclaimed in doleful tones ; and 



then nearly dark, we returned to after performing that delicate oper- 



camp. ation with becoming cheerfulness, I 



"Well," said Pard, "2 bucks and a inquired the cause of his grief, 

 bear isn't such a bad evening's work." "You know I went up on top of the 



Soon the fire was snapping and the mountain today," he began. "I saw 



coffee pot was sending out a delicious some fresh elk tracks. There were 



fragrance. Pard was frying some lots of deer, and I could have killed a 



fresh liver, and it was my turn to wagon load ; but I said to myself, 'I'll 



bake the sinkers. The old Dutch get an elk.' I worked along the top 



oven was set on the coals, and in a to that big gulch, and then swung 



few minutes the biscuits that came down through all that fallen timber, 



from it would have caused a house- At a small park I saw 3 yearling bull 



wife to weep in despair. elk, in the edge of the brush. They 



Now, my sportsman brother, you were feeding, and I had the best 



who are caged up in your office, in the chance in the world to get any of 



hot city, and can't go hunting every them. So, picking out one, I pulled 



time you want to, just get a reload- the sights on his shoulder. He 



ing outfit, sit down here under this looked as big as a house, so I thought 



tree and help yourself. I know your I would break his neck for him. 



mouth is watering for a taste of these Then I aimed for the neck and fired." 



sinkers, but not for the liver and cof- After a pause, he continued : "Well, 



fee. No? "What! another cup of we haven't any elk to take back with 



coffee? That makes 3 you have had. us." Then he kicked himself, and a 



Oh, well. I know you are hungry, so deep gloom settled over him, until the 



pass your cup." soothing effect of a good supper re- 



Now, if you have finished, get a stored him to his natural self, 

 seat near the fire, fill your old briar- In the morning we saddled up and 



wood and we'll have a comfortable went down to bring in our game. It 



smoke. I'll tell again how I missed was soon all packed, and we were on 



Mrs. Bruin this evening; perhaps you the trail for Columbine, 



