DARK SWAMPS AND DEEP RIVERS. 231 



Dyche's work in the taxidermic shop stood him in 

 good stead now, and with some bolts and strap iron 

 found in the remains of an old mowing-machine he 

 soon had the wagon in as good a condition as 

 before. The hunters now proceeded to the head 

 of the lake and renewed their hunt for a moose 

 calf. They were in the midst of the great swamp 

 and they explored the country for miles in every 

 direction. This was surely the home of the moose 

 and there were signs that the animals had been 

 there, as old beds and tracks were seen. Dyche 

 soon discovered that while it was easy for him 

 to find his way about the mountains, it was a 

 different matter here. He spent one bad afternoon 

 searching for camp, under the impression that he 

 would have to remain in the swamps all night with 

 no protection from the mosquitoes. It was only by 

 the greatest luck that he finally came to the river and 

 followed the stream to camp. Day after day was 

 spent in unsuccessful hunting, and the hunters were 

 almost ready to give up in despair, when they dis- 

 covered a place where a cow moose and her twin 

 calves had made their beds. The beds were more 

 than a week old, but they renewed the enthusiasm 

 of the hunters. 



Camp was again moved and they went as far as 

 possible into the swamp. The whole country was 

 covered with "moskegs," a peculiar formation com- 

 posed of plants and grass which had become so matted 

 as to make a new soil on the top of the water of the 

 lakes, and finally had become so firm as to give sup- 

 port for the growth of trees and shrubs. There were 

 16 



