The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-02-24
THE CAMP At DAYBHEAk.
Life in the Western Wilderness When
Night Fades.


Life in the Western wilderness when
Night Fades.
1t is still night
In the darkness not a sound can be
heard save now and then the stamp
of a horses hoof on the frozen ground
or, family, their plucking of the grass,
for the horses begin to feed early.
The sounds of the middle night are
hushed. The owls long ago stopped
their hooting, and now on noiseless
wing are making their last hunting
rounds before the day shall come.
Within the lodge it is darker than
without. On the ground in the mid
die can be seen pale shadow-the
white ashes of the long cold fire;
above through the smoke hole is a
patch of sky, less black than the in
visible inclosing walls, and in this bit
of the heavens shine two stars.
In the circle about the fireplace
are shapeless white masses-the
sleeping forms of men. They are
silent and motionless.
Now on the still air very family is
heard distant tone of music; a
sweet whistle, at first low, rising and
falling, then gradually becoming
more distinct. 1t comes nearer and
nearer until it fills the air all about.
then passes on, recedes, grows
fainter, till at last the sound is lost.
The wild ducks are flying.
From the lake comes a far-Off
trumpet note, and then another
the mellow call Of the wild geese.
The world is awakening. The day
is near.
The stars which looked in at the
smoke hole are paling now. Upon
the horizon in the east lies line of
gray which slowly broadens and
makes twilight where all before was
dark.
The outlines of the tree trunks are
seen standing out like ghosts reach
ing out shadowy arms. as if feeling
their way through the dimness. The
chirp and Autter of migrating birds
that through the night slept in the
low branches begin to be heard
AS the light grows, dusky shapes
appear in the little park behind the
camp-the horses feeding. Close to
the lodge door the two dogs are curled
up in the grass, still asleep. Their
long black coats are white here and
there with frost, and in their sleep
their muscles twitch as they shiver
from the cold; yet their rest is sound.
Day is at hand.
Now a stir is heard within the
lodge. There are muffied grunts and
groans. a yawn or two, the rustling
of clothing, then the faint sound of
footsteps, and suddenly the pale glare
OF mountaineering to a little glow
as the shavings catch. and then to a
bright flicker which lights up the
whole lodge as the larger sticks take
fire and crackle, and white smoke and
a few sparks float from the smoke
hole.
Soon the door OF the lodge is thrown
back. man steps out and looks
about, yawns and shivers. He breaks
the ice in the water bucket and pours
some in a basin.
Others in the lodge are getting up,
says Forest and Stream Voices are
heard. The men of the camp pass in
and out at the door.
Some prepare breakfast, others
busy themselves about the packs and
lash the bundles. Two of them
build a corral of ropes about three
trees, and then start Off to drive in
the horses. Soon these are seen
coming toward the camp. The men
spread themselves out and drive the
animals into the enclosure, where
they are caught and tied up.
While this is being done the call to
breakfast is heard
Meantime the light has spread
itself over all the heavens. In the
east the streaky clouds have flushed
to deep red and paled again to richest
gold. TO the west the snow-clad
mountains are wrapped in garment
of rose. Looking again toward the
east. the limb of the sun appears over
the prairie ridge.
"