a howling that I was quite sure
of a visit from them. Immediately after-. ward I heard another sound,
which was like the screaming of a small child. This was a porcupine,
which had doubtless smelled the meat.

"I watched until a coyote appeared upon a flat rock fifty yards away.
He sniffed the air in every direction; then, sitting partly upon his
haunches, swung round in a circle with his hind legs sawing the air, and
howled and barked in many different keys. It was a great feat! I could
not help wondering whether I should be able to imitate him. What had
seemed to be the voices of many coyotes was in reality only one animal.
His mate soon appeared and then they both seemed satisfied, and showed
no signs of a wish to invite another to join them. Presently they both
suddenly and quietly disappeared.

"At this moment a slight noise attracted my attention, and I saw that
the porcupine had arrived. He had climbed up to the piece of meat
nearest me, and was helping himself without any ceremony. I thought it
was fortunate that he came, for he would make a good watch dog for me.
Very soon, in fact, he interrupted his meal, and caused all his quills
to stand out in defiance. I glanced about me and saw the two coyotes
slyly approaching my open camp from two different directions.

"I took the part of the porcupine! I rose in a sitting posture, and sent
a swift arrow to each of my unwelcome visitors. They both ran away with
howls of surprise and pain.

"The porcupine saw the whole from his perch, but his meal was not at all
disturbed, for he began eating again with apparent relish. Indeed, I was
soon furnished with another of these unconscious protectors. This one
came from the opposite direction to a point where I had hung a splendid
ham of venison. He cared to go no further, but seated himself at once on
a convenient branch and began his supper.

"The canon above me was full of rocks and trees. From this direction
came a startling noise, which caused me more concern than anything I had
thus far heard. It sounded much like a huge animal stretching himself,
and giving a great yawn which ended in a scream. I knew this for the
voice of a mountain lion, and it decided me to perch upon a limb for the
rest of the night.

"I got up and climbed into the nearest large tree, taking my weapons
with me; but first I rolled a short log of wood in my blanket and laid
it in my place by the fire.

"As I got up, the two porcupines began to