DESCENT FROM MOUNT TAIIAWUS. 29 



rather he would have added the amount to my bill, 

 for he was a gentlemanly man, and treated us with 

 great kindness. 



Some may ask what kind of animals roam these 

 forests. First, there is the moose, the tallest of 

 American wild animals, being found sometimes eight 

 feet high. They are commonly hunted in the spring 

 on snow shoes. The snow usually falls here to the 

 depth of four and five feet; and in the early spring, 

 after a thaw and subsequent frost, a stiff crust is 

 formed which will sustain the hunter on his snow 

 shoes, while it cuts dreadfully the legs of the moose. 

 Hence they do not travel at this season, but, as the 

 hunters call it, '-'-yard.'' That is, one, or two, or 

 three together, will beat down the snow around them 

 in some retired damp place and browse as they beat. 

 Another will take a low hill, covered with those trees 

 producing buds fit to eat, and while the snow is moist 

 begin to travel round and round it, cutting it all up 

 into winding paths. He will not stop to eat : but 

 when the snow becomes frozen, he follows the path 

 he has made, browsing as he goes. When found in 

 this position, he cannot run, for the deep snow and 

 sharp crust are too much for him, and he falls an easy 

 victim to the rifle of the hunter. Deer are frequently 

 killed in the same way, and the woods are full of 

 them. The wolf then has his feast, for his soft 

 spreading paw sustains him as he glides over the 

 crust, while the sharp hoof of the poor deer cuts 

 through at every step, and he is easily overtaken. 

 The bears buried under the snow, or rocks, or roots 

 4 



