The only way that seemed at all feasible was to follow the course of the stream if possible, rather than return the course over which I had come.  There were so many bushes and trees along the bank that I had to take to the bed and follow in the water, and as it was rocky and rough, and so dark I could not see well how to step, I stumbled into holes and pools up to my waist, wet as a rat.  Coming to a small open place I decided I had better camp for the night and not attempt further progress in the darkness, and the decision was hastened by dark clouds, which began to gather and a few sprinkles of rain began to come.  There was a good patch of grass for the mule, but all was uncomfortable for me, with the prospect for a rainy night, but as wood was plenty I decided to make a fire and take the chances.  I looked for matches and scratched one.  No go—­they were damp, and scratch as careful and quickly as I could, there was no answering spark or flame, and darkness reigned supreme.  A camp without a fire in this wet place was not to be thought of, so I concluded I might as well be slowly working my way down along the stream, through thick brush and cold water, as to sit here in the cold and wait.

So the little mule and I started on, wading the creek in thick darkness, getting only the most dim reflected light from the sky through now and then an opening in the trees.  I did not know then how easy it was for a grizzly to capture myself, the mule and meat and have quite a variety for supper.  But the grizzly stayed at home and we followed on through brambles and hard brush, through which it was almost impossible to force one’s way.  As it turned out, I was not in the track of the storm and did not suffer much from it.  Soon the canon grew wider, and I could make out on the right hand a piece of table land covered with brush that seemed easier to get through than the creek bed.

The hill up to the table land was very steep, but not more than fifty yards high, and when the mule tried to get up she got along very well till near the top, when she slipped in the wet earth and never stopped till she reached the bottom and lay down.  She was helped up to her feet again and we tried it in another place, I holding her from slipping when she stopped to rest, and at last we reached the top.  The mule started on, seeming to follow a trail, but I could not see whether there was a trail or not, so thick was the darkness, but there was evidently something of the kind, for the brush was two or three feet high and very thick.

After proceeding some distance the mule stopped and did not seem to wish to go any farther.  I was pretty sure there was something in front of her that blocked the way, and so worked my way through the brush and carefully past her.  I could partly see and partly hear something just ahead, and in a moment found it was our good faithful Cuff, and no frightful spook at all.  The good fellow had discovered our approach and came out to meet us, and I am sure the