ly overcame
my awkwardness in the saddle. Frank's remedy of maple sugar and red
pepper had rid me of my cold, and with the return of strength, and the
coming of confidence, full, joyous appreciation of wild environment and
life made me unspeakably happy. And I noticed that my companions were
in like condition of mind, though self-contained where I was exuberant.
Wallace galloped his sorrel and watched the crags; Jones talked more
kindly to the dogs; Jim baked biscuits indefatigably, and smoked in
contented silence; Frank said always: "We'll ooze along easy like, for
we've all the time there is." Which sentiment, whether from reiterated
suggestion, or increasing confidence in the practical cowboy, or charm
of its free import, gradually won us all.

"Boys," said Jones, as we sat round the campfire, "I see you're getting
in shape. Well, I've worn off the wire edge myself. And I have the
hounds coming fine. They mind me now, but they're mystified. For the
life of them they can't understand what I mean. I don't blame them.
Wait till, by good luck, we get a cougar in a tree. When Sounder and
Don see that, we've lion dogs, boys! we've lion dogs! But Moze is a
stubborn brute. In all my years of animal experience, I've never
discovered any other way to make animals obey than by instilling fear
and respect into their hearts. I've been fond of buffalo, horses and
dogs, but sentiment never ruled me. When animals must obey, they
must--that's all, and no mawkishness! But I never trusted a buffalo in
my life. If I had I wouldn't be here to-night. You all know how many
keepers of tame wild animals get killed. I could tell you dozens of
tragedies. And I've often thought, since I got back from New York, of
that woman I saw with her troop of African lions. I dream about those
lions, and see them leaping over her head. What a grand sight that was!
But the public is fooled. I read somewhere that she trained those lions
by love. I don't believe it. I saw her use a whip and a steel spear.
Moreover, I saw many things that escaped most observers--how she
entered the cage, how she maneuvered among them, how she kept a
compelling gaze on them! It was an admirable, a great piece of work.
Maybe she loves those huge yellow brutes, but her life was in danger
every moment while she was in that cage, and she knew it. Some day, one
of her pets likely the King of Beasts she pets the most will rise up
and kill her. That is as certain as death."

CHA