AN EARLY EXPERIENCE 218

camp had been in operation at the head of the inlet, and
in order that the timber could be hauled to the sea,
several “‘ skid roads,” with numerous branches to them,
had been constructed for several miles back. At that
time most of these roads had been obliterated by newly
grown brush and fallen trees. These “ skid roads ”’ are
rough sort of tracks across which sections of small trees,
from ten to twelve inches in diameter, are laid at intervals
of about six feet, and on which the logs are hauled by oxen,

As far as I was aware there was nobody, unless there
happened to be a roaming Indian about, within fifty miles
of me, for few settlers had invaded that part of the coast
up to that time.

On my way to and from the stream it was necessary to
cross one of these ‘‘ skid roads,” and on it there were
always fresh deer tracks every morning. It therefore
occurred to me that, as this road was within a quarter of
a mile of my camp, and as the only meat in my possession
was that of a nasty fishy-tasting bear, it would be an
excellent plan to go to this road about daylight on the
chance of getting a shot at a buck. So one morning,
just at daybreak, I slipped out of my blankets, picked
up my rifle, and sallied forth. My intention was to be
back within half an hour and not do any more climbing
than up on to some stump from where a better view of
the road could be had and a sight of any deer that might
chance to be on it. Now it did not seem to be cold, being
a cloudy morning without any wind, so I did not bother
to dress, and my sole attire consisted of an old pair of
canvas trousers and a flannel shirt, also much the worse
for wear. I did not even put on my boots, as at that
time my feet were as hard as an Indian’s, and with bare
feet one could walk as silently as a eat.

My efforts to spot a deer were not successful. Then,
after a time, I remembered that there had been a good
moon all night and that the deer would have been feeding
by its light. When retracing my steps, some open spots,
a short distance above me, came under my notice, and
they had the appearance of being just the place to find a