It's nearly morning and by the way the tent is saging I think it snowed last night.  I hate to crawl out from under my blankets but the fir bows I used for a mattress are poking holes in my back.  The fire has gone out in my old stove but there may be enough coals to light a new one.  I sure hope so because I am getting mighty short on flint.  I had to chip out a new one for the  lock on Ol' Bessy the other day after falling down crossing that stream.  I sure hope I didn't fowl up the sights.  Yup, just peeked out and the ground is covered with a dusting of fresh snow.  Boy, I could use a little spring.  I notice the buds on the willows are swelling and the last couple of days were almost warm by mid afternoon.  Enough to dry out my soppin wet clothes, anyway.  I got to go check the trap lines again this morning.  I know I'm pushing it but I could see where a Beaver had been up on his lodge a few days back and I need to get some trading stock before spring Rendezvous.  I hope Rizzy comes. He has the best flint.  I been told that the Indians he gets it from treat it in a fire somehow.  Sure works good.  No more that one good strike on your steel, if you are prepped just right, and fire is a sure thing.  Well, got my fire going and the little I had to eat fixed.  It has warmed up here in the tent quite nice.  I had to trim a piece off my moccacin  top to patch the hole in the sole.  Maybe I can afford a new pair at Rendezvous.  Those Nez Pierce that show up make some mighty fine moccacins and I still got some pony beads saved away for trading material.  If I have to, I can sweeten the deal with a little powder.  I haven't had to do too much shooting this winter and fresh powder always works better anyway.  The new Capote I sewed up from those old 3 point blankets this last winter sure is warm.  Good lookin too.  This time I put three layers across the shoulders under the collar.  If you grease down the center layer, it keeps the rain from soakin through and still keeps you clean and warm.  Well, suns up and I gotta run them lines.