morning a deer hunt was proposed. We
scattered in different directions in parties of two and three, and
commenced tracking the deer.

On re-assembling at our night-camp, our different parties came back
wearied and empty-handed.

The guides, Ike and Redwood, had gone by themselves, and were the last
to reach the rendezvous. We watched anxiously for their return. They
came at length, and to our joy each of them carried the half of a deer
upon his shoulders. They had discovered the animal by his trail in the
snow, and pursued it for miles, until its ankles and hoofs became so
lacerated by the crust that it allowed them to approach near enough for
the range of their pistols. Fortunately it proved to be a good-sized
buck, and would add a couple of days to our stock of provisions.

With fresh venison to our breakfast, we started forth next morning in
better spirits. This day we intended to make a long journey, in hopes
of getting into heavy timber, where we might find deer more plentiful,
and might capture some before the snow thawed away. But before the end
of the day's journey we were so stocked with provision, that we no
longer cared about deer or any other game. Our commissariat was once
more replenished by the buffalo, and in a most unexpected manner. We
were tramping along upon the frozen snow, when upon ascending the crest
of a ridge, we saw five huge forms directly in front of us. We had no
expectation of meeting with buffalo so far to the eastward, and were
somewhat in doubt as to whether they were buffaloes. Their bodies,
against the white hill side, appeared of immense size, and as they were
covered all over with hoar frost, and icicles depending from their long
shaggy tufts of hair, they presented a singular aspect, that for awhile
puzzled us. We took them for pine-trees!

We soon saw, however, that they were in motion, moving along the hill,
and they could be no other than buffaloes, as no other animals could
have presented such an appearance. Of course they were at a long
distance, and this prevented us from at once recognising them.

This was an important discovery, and brought our party to a halt and a
consultation. What course was to be adopted? How were we to capture
one or all of them? Had the snow been of sufficient depth the thing
would have been easy; but although as it was, it might impede their
running, they could get through it much faster than we. The only chance
was to "approac