Forest-clad hills, huge boulders and masses of rock now began to mingle again with the bottoms, which in this country are known as plains.

Every mile added to the roughness and picturesque grandeur of the country.

A few miles to the east rose another range of wild and rugged hills; small lakes became more and more numerous, and everywhere the hunters crossed and recrossed frozen creeks.
And each step they took now added to the enthusiasm of Wabi and his companions.

Evidences of game and fur animals were plenty.

A thousand ideal locations for a winter camp were about them, and their progress became slow and studied.
A gently sloping hill of considerable height now lay in their path and Mukoki led the ascent.