The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-01-12

~ AYES mine was nearly two
miles from our cabin, and
each morning after breakfast
- We made the journey on foot.
AS 1 have previously stated. my prin-
cipal reason for making one Of the
party was to hunt, therefore | always
carried gun during our walks to and
from the mine, for the canon of the
Little Bear was favOrite drinking
place Of deer and one could never tell
when an opportunity tor shot might
come. It's wild and rugged piece of
country there, and tho Dave had built
an apology for wagon road between
the mill and his hole in the ground, one
felt much safer when travelling afoot.
In fact, Dave reluctantly admitted that
the "road is a bit narrow. The first
wagon rolled down the hill AS soon
as we struck my road" 1t is also true
that the first wagon was the last to
attempt the journey and Dave is still
.'goin' to widen 'er out some next
SPRING"
One morning, shortly after attend
ing the Indians funeral Dave and l
started for our work. The stream
forms sort of a letter IS" at that
place with our cabin situated at the
lower end, so in our trips back and
forth we did not follow the stream at
first, but cut across the lover curve
and struck the creek again at point
where the gorge became very deep and
rough. 1t was while crossing this
point of comparatively open and level
land that Dave stopped and pointed at
some tracks in the soft earth.
That's the Big Buck" said Dave.
/ looked down. Sure enough there
was large .V" shaped track, aud
farther along two smaller ones; those
of the Big Bucks family. l say the
track was large; but that is hardly
enough. 1t was enormous for q deer's
track, and the spread" of tho toes
showed that great weight had
pressed those sharply cut furrows.
"Well, Dave, what's the Big Buck
And why do you call this particular
one the Big Buck 7" l asked, curious
to know what had gained any deer the
distinction of special name.
"Well, I never saw him, but from
what they say he's mighty big. Cap
tain Jeff says that his horns look lik'
q bunch of mesquite. He says 'yOl
can't kill him."
"ThatIl do. I'm goin' after the BIZ
Buck. See you at noon"-and away
went. The tracks led me through tn
low lands bordering the stream, ant
were easily followed, for the countr
was open there and the ground soft
Here and there l would find a plac
where my feurfoOted friends ha
stopped to nibble at the low oa
bOughs or take bite from som
clump of shear clover Again, tn
ground would be trampled and tor
where the family had engaged in a
early morning frolic. ALI these thing
were interesting of course, but the
did not form mark at which to shoe
and l wanted meat. 1 followed fl
an hour, perhaps, before the tracks lie
me into the brush of the hillside an
still had seen nothing of my.(N dee
After another hour of toiling over an
under the tearing chaparral and roug
shear clover" during which .ime tt
trail led me gradually back towart
my starting point, gave up the cha
in disgust. Indeed. l HAD to. 10
the trail.
Painfully made my way down
the stream (for it was just below m
and started for the mine. I was tire
Dead, dog tired, and mad. 1 trudg'
along the narrow trail at the creei
edge, mentally hurting curses at all t
deer family, yet furtively eying t
steep, mesquite-covered slope of t
opposite hill, for tho wouldn't hunt
had sneaking idea that / might 6
something after alt Finally Istopp
to rest, and sitting down under I
white-barked buckeye tree I rolled
cigarette and began smoking. Acre
the creek the hills cut down in 10
steep slope right to- the waters cd
and as j smoked 1 lazily examined I
whole surface for game or anythi