120 THE PINE-TREE, OR 



them strongly of the absence of woman, without whose amiable 

 presence, society, and services man can not enjoy his quota of 

 earthly bliss. 



A tramp after deer and moose is sometimes taken. "We often 

 disturb them in penetrating the deep forests for timber. In such 

 cases they always remove to some more sequestered place, and post 

 themselves for winter-quarters again, where we sometimes follow 

 and take them when the condition of the snow renders their flight 

 tardy and difficult- In the summer they roam at large through 

 the forests and on the meadows, where they may often be seen 

 feeding as we pass up the rivers ; but in winter they confine 

 themselves to much smaller limits, where they remain during 

 the greater portion of the season. The flesh of the deer forms 

 an agreeable change from our salt provisions. "Venison is often 

 quite plenty. From the hare and partridge our cook serves a de- 

 licious pot-pie. The flesh of the moose and bear are very good. 

 "Were it not for the unprepossessing appearance of the latter, his 

 flesh would be esteemed before most wild meat. The flesh of a 

 young black bear a year old, if fat, is not easily distinguished, 

 when cooked, from a good pork spare rib. I recollect a ludic- 

 rous instance of imposition practiced upon an individual by fur- 

 nishing him with bear meat for his dinner, while he supposed 

 that he was feasting upon fresh pork. He was known to be ex- 

 ceedingly averse to eating bear meat, and often expressed his dis- 

 relish, and even disgust, at the idea. " Eat bear's meat? No ! I 

 would as soon eat a dog." A bear had been taken by a crew 

 near by ; it was fine meat, and it so happened that our anti-bear- 

 eater was at their camp one day, when the cook served up in 

 his best manner some of the flesh. Of course he was invited to 

 dine, as lumbermen are always hospitable. On this occasion the 

 invitation was especially urgent, as they "had a nice bit of fresh 

 pork, which had been sent them by the provision-team." 



Our friend ate and praised the nice pork alternately. " Fine, 



