2 7 8 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
meat that short distance; this would save them 
much trouble. 
They were delighted with the idea, and we 
proceeded to the lower ground together, to select a 
camping place. During the way, they explained 
that they were a party bent upon a riding excursion 
from Cheyenne through the Big Horn range, but 
they had been most unfortunate in shooting, having 
seen very little game, and having killed absolutely 
nothing. This was a curious episode that was 
equally unexpected, and at the same time satisfactory 
to all parties. In a short time they had their tents 
pitched, fires alight, cooking-pots filled, and were 
thoroughly comfortable, while my hunter Jem and 
myself rode homewards, well satisfied with the 
morning s work. 
On the day following, I rode from my camp with 
the intention of calling upon these American 
gentlemen, and, as I approached their direction, my 
attention was attracted by a cloud of smoke rising 
from the valley in which I had left their party. 
Presently I was overtaken by Bob Stewart and Big 
Bill, the skin-hunters, who had observed the signs 
of a forest fire from a great distance, and had hurried 
towards the spot, carrying with them a galvanised 
iron bucket and an axe. We now joined parties 
and galloped towards the smoke. 
Upon arrival we found the desolate signs of a 
deserted camp. The large party that I had left on 
the preceding day were gone, and with great 
carelessness they had left their fire burning, instead 
