234 THE MOOSE 



forest lore. Unlike most Alaskan natives, he knew 

 the names of the birds, whence they came and Avent, 

 wherefore, and why. The trees, the herbage, the 

 grasses, and the rushes by the river, were full of 

 meaning for the small Aleut. A natural hunter, 

 his methods of attack, common sense, and highly 

 developed cunning, to say nothing of his powers 

 of endurance, brought him approachably near the 

 standard of an African tracker. Fishcraft, and 

 seacraft too, was his by right of birth. 



Many Alaskan natives can guide and know the 

 whereabouts of game. Some are excellent still- 

 hunters, but where Pitka shone was in making the 

 challenge call of the bull moose with mouth and 

 hands, a method which is said to be limited in its 

 effect, owing to its short carrying power. In 

 Pitka's adroit manoeuvres the results were aston- 

 ishing. He could call up a moose, not necessarily 

 a good head, but a moose, when he willed. 



And with the usual times, early morning and 

 late evening, most chosen, Pitka would have 

 nothing whatsoever to do. Time was made for 

 slaves. His hour of hours was a late one, and 

 given the choice, he would demand a moon. 



He led his two excited sportsmen through the 



