en I saw rising before me
a curious white mound, twenty-five or thirty feet in height, and about a
hundred at the base. From the summit rose a small puff of steam, like
that escaping from the lid of a kettle; but I saw, from the appearance
of the trees around it, that it could not for many years have sent forth
any dangerous stream of hot water. Not far off was a small basin with
an elegantly scalloped rim; it was full of hot water, which scarcely
bubbled over. "This will make me a capital fish-kettle," I said to
myself, "so I will build my hut near here. I do not think there can be
any risk."

Having selected a clear spot, I set to work and piled up the wood for my
fire. This was the first operation. I could build my hut in the dusk,
or even by the light of the fire, should it be necessary, after I had
caught my fish. Then taking a handful of moss into the open, with a few
dry sticks, I quickly lighted it with my burning-glass, and carrying it
back, soon had my fire in a blaze. I next made it up carefully, that it
might burn until I came back, and hurried down to the river. I was
doubtful whether trout were to be found in water into which hot streams
were constantly pouring; however, as most of them became cold before
they reached the main current, I thought it possible that I might be
successful. In the expectation of catching fish, I had omitted to set
my traps; or rather, occupied by the wonderful scenes around me, I had
forgotten all about the matter. In vain I threw in my line, baited with
an active grasshopper; not a fish would bite. I went higher up the
river, where fewer hot springs ran into it, but I was equally
unsuccessful.

The shadows beginning to spread over the valley warned me that I must
return to my camping-ground and content myself with a few thistle roots
for supper; and I had just wound up my line, when my ear caught the
sound of what appeared to be a shot fired at some distance up the
valley. It was so faint, however, that I thought it might possibly be a
sound emitted by some geyser or fire-hole. Just then a deer came
bounding along, a short distance off. On seeing me it swerved slightly
out of its course, and as it did so I perceived a stream of blood
flowing from its side.

"That _was_ a shot, then!" I exclaimed; "and my friends must have fired
it."

My first impulse was to run in the direction from whence the shot came,
but on looking at the deer I perceived that it was sl