40 THE GREAT NORTH-WEST 



smaller than the English badger. It is not; except 

 in certain restricted localities. Those about here measure 

 twenty-six to twenty- eight inches from snout to root of 

 tail The latter is six or seven inches long. Like the 

 English badger, this is a courageous animal, lives in 

 burrows, and when captured can be rendered exceedingly 

 tame, and will follow its owner about like a dog. They 

 pair in autumn before they hibernate, and the young are 

 brought forth in spring, about May, and perhaps as late 

 as the end of June. They are three to five in number. 

 In captivity they show no desire to hibernate ; and even 

 when wild they seldom retire altogether till the very 

 severe weather sets in about the end of November. Like 

 those in Europe, they seldom show themselves during 

 the day ; but on bright moonlight nights I have watched 

 them for hours gambolling and playing like dogs. 



Tom and the half-breed did not return until the 

 middle of the third day. In spite of our precaution the 

 wolves had got down one of the deer-skins and com- 

 pletely spoiled it ; indeed, devoured the greater part of 

 it. We had no further luck with the traps; and a heavy 

 snow-storm setting in, and showing signs of lasting a long 

 time, we returned to the huts at the lake. The snow 

 was partially thawed in a day or two, and a sharp frost 

 ensuing at night, the next morning the trees were covered 

 with millions of small icicles, forming one of the prettiest 

 sights I have ever seen, as the bright sun caused them 

 to glitter and sparkle and emit all the prismatic colours. 



