38 THE GEYSERS OF PLUTON RIVER, 
and half the size of one’s hand, with a hole in the cen- 
tre. Through these the sharpened stick is thrust, and 
its lower end planted in the ground before the fire. 
As our fare consisted of venison and bear’s meat, suc- 
cessive layers of each were put upon the sticks, the fat 
of the latter, as it dripped down, basting and furnish- 
ing an excellent gravy to the former. In fifteen 
minutes, with occasional turning, the dinner was pro- 
nounced ready to be served up. 
Being unprovided with the luxury of a table, we 
seated ourselves on the grass, beneath the wide-spread- 
ing boughs of a tree, and a few yards from the fire, in 
order to be near the kitchen, and to have our meats 
and coffee warm. Before each person was stuck in the. 
eround a stick of the roasted meat. <A bag of hard 
bread (pilot bread), some sugar, salt, and pepper, 
were placed near, and each man was provided with a 
tin cup filled with coffee. Thus furnished, and with 
sharp appetites, we fell to, and never was a feast more 
heartily appreciated. Our coffee and bread were 
excellent; and those who were not satisfied with one 
stick of meat, found another ready at the fire when 
the first was gone. 
By the time we had finished our dinner, it was 
dark. We then sat for an hour or two listening to the 
feats and adventures related to us by the hunters before 
referred to, all of which were exciting and full of 
interest ; after which, one by one, we rolled ourselves 
in our blankets, and dropped asleep, dreaming of grizzly 
bears, elk, venison, and the wild scenery we had been 
enjoying during the day. 
March 23d. Was up by sunrise, after an excellent 
