bald crowns.

"Fur ought to be getting prime now," the Parson said one day. "It'll
be better still, higher up."

This was the message I had been waiting for. It set me packing at
once, for I was going into Wild Basin, alone, to hunt, trap and explore.

On a morning near the middle of October, much excited, I set out for
the land of mystery. Ahead lay the unknown, uncharted wilds. I could
go where I chose and stay as long as I wished. Bold Columbus, looking
westward, I could not have been more thrilled. Mountain maple beckoned
with ripe, red banners. The mountains peeked through the autumn haze,
divulging nothing, promising everything!

My outfit consisted of an old, ragged tent, a little food, a camera
that had been through a fire and leaked light badly, a knife, an ax, a
six-shooter, and an old rifle that had been traded about among the
early settlers and had known many owners. In addition I had bought six
double-spring steel traps sufficiently large to hold beaver, coyotes or
wolves. The pair of ragged blankets that had served me on my short
trips about the region had been reinforced with an old quilt, faded and
patched, but sweet and clean.

All this duffle I packed upon a "return" horse, lent me by the Parson,
one that would return home as soon as it was let loose.

The Parson chuckled at the appearance of my pack, even the horse turned
his head inquiringly, but I was too excited to mind their insinuations.
As the sun topped the mountains, I led the horse slowly down the old
tollroad toward a game trail, and swung up in the direction of Wild
Basin.

Deer tracks showed in the old road and in the game trails; I also
recognized coyote tracks, and puzzled over strange tracks which I could
not make out. The small streams I crossed had many deep pools where
trout were collecting for the winter. I tossed stones into them and
the fish, like rainbow darts, dashed for shelter beneath the rocks.
Hourly my excitement grew--a million plans ran through my head. I
would become a mighty hunter and make a fortune trapping; I would turn
prospector and locate a mine: Father and Mother would yet have the gold
of which they were thwarted.

The second evening brought me into such rough country that going
farther with the horse was next to impossible. With excited hands I
unpacked, bade the beast good-by, and started him toward home on the
back trail. He trotted off, neighing eagerly.

Save for the rumble of the r