H^tnting in the S el kirks. 151 



was not good), the temptation was sore ; and I was glad 

 when, in another second, the stupid beast turned again 

 and went off up the valley at a slashing run. 



Then we hurried down to examine with pride and 

 pleasure the dead bull — his massive form, sleek coat, and 

 fine antlers. It was one of those moments that repay the 

 hunter for days of toil and hardship ; that is if he needs 

 repayment, and does not find life in the wilderness pleasuie 

 enougrh in itself. 



It was getting late, and if we expected to reach camp 

 that night it behooved us not to delay ; so we merely 

 halted long enough to dress the caribou, and take a steak 

 with us — which we did not need, by the way, for almost 

 immediately we came on a band of spruce grouse and 

 knocked off the heads of five with our rifles. The caribou's 

 stomach was filled with blueberries, and with their leaves, 

 and with a few small mushrooms also, and some mouth- 

 fuls of moss. We went home very fast, too much elated 

 to heed scratches and tumbles ; and just as it was growing 

 so dark that further travelling was impossible we came 

 opposite our camp, crossed the river on a fallen hemlock, 

 and walked up to the moody Indian, as he sat crouched 

 by the fire. 



He lost his sullenness when he heard what we had 

 done ; and next day we all went up and skinned and 

 butchered the caribou, returning to camp and making 

 ready to start back to the lake the following morning ; and 

 that night we feasted royally. 



We were off by dawn, the Indian joyfully leading. 

 Coming up into the mountains he had always been the 



