The Rocky Mountain Wonderland — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Rocky Mountain Wonderland
John Stuart Mill · en
The day following the surprise on Mt. Meeker, this flock appeared at
timber-line about three miles to the southeast. Here some hunters
fired on it. As it fled past me, I counted, and one of the
twenty-eight was missing. The flock spent most of the next day about
Chasm Lake, just under the northern crags of Meeker. Before night it
was back at its old stamping-ground on Battle Mountain. Early the
following morning the big ram led the way slowly to the west on the
northern slope of Long's Peak, a little above timber-line.
During the morning a grizzly came lumbering up the slope, and as I
thought he would probably intercept the sheep, I awaited the next
scene with intense interest. The bear showed no interest in the sheep,
which, in turn, were not alarmed by his approach. Within a few yards
of the flock he concluded to dig out a fat woodchuck. The sheep, full
of curiosity, crowded near to watch this performance,--evidently too
near to suit Mr. Grizzly, who presently caused a lively scattering
with a _Woof!_ and a charge. The bear returned to his digging, and the
sheep proceeded quietly on their way.
The flock went down into Glacier Gorge, then out on the opposite side,
climbing to the summit of the Continental Divide. The following day
another flock united with it; and just at nightfall another, composed
entirely of ewes and lambs, was seen approaching. At daylight the
following morning the Battle Mountain flock was by itself and the
other flocks nowhere in sight. During the day my flock traveled four
or five miles to the north, then, doubling back, descended Flat-Top
Mountain, and at sundown, after a day's trip of about twenty miles and
a descent from twelve thousand feet to eight thousand, arrived at the
Mary Lake salt lick in Estes Park. Before noon the following day this
flock was on the Crags, about three miles south of the lake and at an
altitude of eleven thousand feet.
Near the Crags I saw a fight between one of the rams of this flock and
one that ranged about the Crags. The start of this was a lively
pushing contest, head to head. At each break there was a quick attempt
to strike each other with their horns, which was followed by goat-like
rearing and sparring. As they reared and struck, or struck while on
their hind legs, the aim was to hit the other's nose with head or
horn. Both flocks paused, and most of the sheep intently watched the
contest.