44 Reminiscences of 



impossible, it being only a question of time and dis- 

 tance, and that it would* not travel far in the deep 

 snow, over which we would proceed with little fatigue. 

 It was some hours, however, before we grew warm on 

 the trail, and about noon before we reached a place in 

 the black growth where the moose had apparently 

 yarded for several days, from which he had broken 

 out upon our approach, before we saw him. At 

 this time we redoubled our speed, and in less than a 

 mile brought him at bay where the snow was too heavy 

 for his further rapid progress. Here the moose broke 

 down the snow about him to give himself foot room, 

 and stood facing us in defiance. It was an exciting 

 moment, and taking as careful aim as I could, I fired 

 at his front. My shot seemed to have little effect, for, 

 instead of breaking away, he commenced to increase 

 his circle of enclosure, about which he moved with 

 alacrity foreboding possible harm if he should charge 

 us, and we each sought the shelter of neighboring trees 

 to be prepared for his possible advance, and from 

 here I gave a shot which brought him down on 

 his knees, from which he soon toppled over, and the 

 end came. It was a large bull and in good flesh, 

 but bereft of horns, which had been lately shed. 

 Skinning and dressing him, we hung up all to freeze 

 excepting a hind quarter and a few parts which my 

 men dragged on an improvised sled to camp. The 

 following day the men returned for the balance, 

 making two trips, and were enabled to portage all 

 to camp on the long packing sled with which we 

 were provided, but attended with much labor. We 

 were three miles from camp, and did not arrive until 

 some time after sundown. 



