160 CAMP-FIRES OF A NATURALIST. 



lake near the camp, and it was their cries that caused 

 the alarm. 



No sign of a trail could be found, and all day the 

 cutting of poles was continued. Night found the 

 hunters still in the midst of thick woods, and Dyche, 

 finding a caribou horn, took it as an omen of good 

 luck and made camp on the spot. 



All next day was spent in a similar manner. The 

 party was still headed up Kettle River, and pene- 

 trated the dense mass of poles and fallen trees. They 

 were in a veritable terra incognita. No hatchet or 

 axe had ever been used in the whole expanse of 

 country. No sign of the presence of man was to be 

 found anywhere. It was hard and lonesome travel- 

 ling, and forage for the horses was always uncertain, 

 but there was a fascination about it. They never 

 knew at what moment they might meet with some 

 exciting adventure. 



Just as night was coming on they saw a flock of 

 Canadian grouse, which were so tame that six of them 

 were killed with sticks and stones. These beautiful 

 birds are known in the country as "fool hens," on 

 account of their tameness. Camp Fool Hen was 

 christened and supper made of the birds. The cocks 

 are a mottled gray with black breasts. A small fiery 

 red comb stands up above the eyes, and usually they 

 are strutting around like miniature turkey-gobblers. 

 When approached they would run a few feet out of 

 the way or fly to the lowest branches of the nearest 

 tree and sit until they were knocked over with sticks. 

 Over thirty of them were killed on this trip up Kettle 

 River with sticks and stones. Dyche found four in 



