lo8 The Ho/HC of the Wolverene and Beaver. 



to the house. At length the vicinity of the "yard," 

 was reached, but a Hght breeze having sprung up, 

 the Canadian counselled a detour for the purpose 

 of approaching the game from the lee side, and by 

 the time this was accomplished it was high noon. 

 A halt was then called, and the hunter delivered his 

 instructions, which I shall render into English in 

 place of transcribing his curious jargon of mixed 

 languages. All three men were to creep up 

 cautiously and take their chance of getting a shot 

 at the animals before they detected an enemy's 

 presence. If, however, the moose winded them 

 and made off, they were to follow with all speed ; 

 and should the animals separate, Groves, as a more 

 experienced woodsman, was to pursue the right- 

 hand trail, while Pierre Lefranc and Paul, whom 

 the Canadian considered under his especial safe- 

 guard, would follow up the other. From the "sign" 

 on the previous day Pierre felt pretty certain that 

 there were only two full-grown moose in the "yard," 

 and by this arrangement they stood every chance of 

 securing" them both. The rendezvous was fixed at the 

 encampment on the following evening, for perhaps 

 one party might be compelled to sleep on the trail. 

 Noiselessly and carefully the hunters advanced, 

 the dogs keeping in the rear, and the utmost pre- 

 cautions were taken to avoid snapping a t\\ ig, or 



