FOLLOWING THE TRAIL. 243 



The freshly fallen snow retarded our progress, for it 

 insinuated itself between the stitches of our shoes. And, 

 worse still, at the slightest shake the branches of the trees 

 under which we passed poured down upon us an icy whirl- 

 wind, whose thick particles, clinging to our garments, 

 quickly melted, thanks to the thaw, and penetrated them 

 with a chill humidity. 



In spite of all these inconveniences, we gave no heed 

 either to cold or fatigue : carried away by the ardour of the 

 chase, our sole thought was of overtaking the deer. 

 Already we perceived, deeply incrusted in the snow, the 

 traces of these animals, and evidently of a numerous 

 herd ; the marks of their teeth on the branches of the 

 trees were visible to all eyes, and when we reached the 

 base of a small hill it was obvious that the animals could 

 be at no great distance from us. 



The dogs were then uncoupled, and a few minutes later 

 we heard all the modulations of their barkings. 



The snow ceased to fall, and the brightening atmosphere 

 enabled us to follow the hunt. 



In the track of our dogs we darted forward, the 

 captain, the Indians, and myself, and ascended to the 

 summit of the hill, where we found the fresh traces of 

 numerous stags. 



Carried away by my ardour, and embarrassed by the 

 confounded snow-shoes which I had on my feet, I stumbled 

 at every step, and experienced the greatest difficulty in 

 following up the hunters and th^ hounds. It is necessary 

 I should add, in passing, that Maclean, Jack, and his three 

 companions were skilful in the use of their chaussures, 

 and flew rather than walked along the snow. 



All at once the dogs halted, and just as we issued from 



