Hunting in the Selkirks 183 



wander long distances, and are fond of frequenting 

 the wet barrens which break the expanse of the 

 northern forest in tracts of ever-increasing size, as 

 the subarctic regions are neared. At this time they 

 go in bands, each under the control of a master 

 bull, which wages repeated and furious battles for 

 his harem; and in their ways of life they resemble 

 the wapiti more than they do the moose or deer. 

 They sometimes display a curious boldness, the 

 bulls especially showing both stupidity and pugnac- 

 ity when in districts to which men rarely penetrate. 

 On our way out of the woods, after this hunt, 

 there was a slight warm spell, followed by rain and 

 then by freezing weather, so as to bring about 

 what is known as a silver thaw. Every twig was 

 sheathed in glittering ice, and in the moonlight 

 the forest gleamed as if carved out of frosted 

 silver. 



