Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 6, 2025
Why did we not think of it before? Come, brothers! I'll get you down in the twinkling of an eye come!" As Basil uttered these words, he strode off towards the spot where they had butchered the big-horns. On reaching it he drew his hunting-knife; and having spread out one of the skins, proceeded to cut it into strips.
"What a distance some of them must have travelled!" remarked Francois; "and how do you think they know where to come? There was not one in sight when we killed those big-horns." "They have been guided by their scent, of course," replied Basil; "they have great power in that way."
No doubt the big-horns, or some other animals, had made this trail as they passed up and down though it was only distinguishable by a slight discoloration upon the rocks, and by the earth being packed firmer in some places, as if by hoofs or feet. A little better than half-way up the boys observed a fissure, like the entrance of a cave, on one side of the ravine and close to the trail.
Indeed, they seem to delight in such situations as if it gave them a pleasure to court danger, just as a school-boy likes to luxuriate in perilous feats of agility." "Are these the same that are called `big-horns' by the hunters?" demanded Francois. "The same," answered Lucien; "`cimmaron' is the name given by the Spaniards the earliest explorers of these regions.
Peter accompanied us as far as his brother's, to take the place of poor Mark, who was still unfit for work, though in a fair way of recovery. We spent a day with the young backwoodsmen, whose hearts were delighted with a present of a first-rate Joe Manton. Our intention was to push on for the base of the Rocky Mountains to a region where deer and buffalo and big-horns abounded.
They had only to guard the pass by which they themselves had come up, and then hunt the big-horns over the table at their leisure. It was agreed, therefore, that Lucien with Marengo should remain there, while Basil and Francois stole up for a first shot. They lost no time in putting this plan into execution.
On Oppapago, which is also called Sheep Mountain, one finds not far from the beds of cassiope the ice-worn, stony hollows where the big-horns cradle their young. These are above the wolf's quest and the eagle's wont, and though the heather beds are softer, they are neither so dry nor so warm, and here only the stars go by. No other animal of any pretensions makes a habitat of the alpine regions.
We have lost half a day drying our rags, so we must make up for it by an early start in the morning. Then for the prairies!" "Then for the prairies!" echoed Francois, "the prairies the wild horses the big-horns and the buffalo!" Our travellers next morning resumed their journey, and for several days continued on without meeting any incident worth recording.
We naturally, forgetting all about the big-horns, thought only of how we could best convey Charley to the camp. As we had come over some excessively rough ground, it would be no easy matter to get him there.
We had only to descend to take possession of any spot on which we might fix for our future residence. The stream and lake would afford us fish, herds of deer browsed on the rich grass, and far away we caught sight of some buffaloes, while numerous "big-horns" were seen bounding amid the crags on either side.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking