THE CANADA GROUSE. 119 



olden times, when the whites were scarce in the country, 

 would have cost the pilferer his life, for they think that 

 a person who touches the dead or steals anything belonging 

 to them ouglit to be killed, to appease their manes, or that 

 the tribe will suffer from some great calamity. We were 

 very sorry for what we had done, but as we could not 

 undo it, we concluded to make the best of our position, 

 and go without the guide until we could get another. 

 Our first act was to inquire who would act as cook, but 

 as nobody seemed willing to volunteer for that situation, 

 it was voted that whoever missed the first shot durino- 

 the day should be unanimously elected chief of the 

 kitchen. When we moved out of camj) every one was 

 fully determined not to be elected if he could help it, 

 but as the " best laid schemes of mice and men gang aft 

 a glee," we found it the same, for the gentleman who had 

 the most objection to that situation — he who loved the 

 tent pole so much that he would not move away from it 

 while we were erecting our quarters — fired at a grouse 

 that rose almost at his feet, and missed it in the cleanest 

 manner. 



This feat was greeted with a hearty cheer, and the per- 

 former was promptly ordered back to prepare dinner, dire 

 threats being hurled at him in case he proved derelict in 

 his duties. lie looked very much crest-fallen at his ill 

 fortune, but he obeyed the fiat for all that, and solemnly 

 returned to camp to apostrophize salt pork, and rue the 

 moment he so far forgot himself as to fire at that grouse. 

 When he left us, Ave walked slowly in an extended line, and 

 carefully scanned every shrub and tree in search of game. 

 I saw a large black bear at one time, but having nothing 

 larger than No. 5 shot in my case, I allowed it to escape 

 without a salute, as it did not seem to v/ant to know me, 

 or else it had such urgent business in another direction 

 that it could not stop to make my acquaintance. 



A wolf also passed close by and halted to gaze on me. 



