50 THRILLING ADVENTURES. 



We again encamped. The next day, after following five miles 

 further we overtook them back of a hill, which, by the sound, 

 they appeared to be going around. I immediately ran to the 

 opposite side of the hill to meet them. They came around as 

 I expected, and I partly met them. As they turned, a large 

 one ran upon the ice of a creek and broke in. As he rose 

 upon the ice I was ready, and cut loose upon him, and shot 

 him square through. This stopped his running. After se- 

 curing our prize, and getting a hearty meal of fresh meat, we 

 returned." 



In the summer the moose frequents swampy or low grounds, 

 near the margins of lakes and rivers, through which they de- 

 light to swim, as it frees them for the time from the annoy- 

 ance of insects. They are also seen wading out from the 

 shores, for the purpose of feeding on the aquatic plants that 

 rise to the surface of the water. At this season they regu- 

 larly frequent the same place in order to drink, of which cir- 

 cumstance the Indian hunter takes advantage to lie in ambush, 

 and secure the destruction of the deer. During the winter, 

 the moose, in families of fifteen or twenty, seek the depths of 

 the forest for shelter and food. 



The moose is generally hunted in the month of March, 

 when the snow is deep and sufficiently crusted with ice to 

 bear the weight of a dog, but not a moose. Five or six In- 

 dians, provided with knapsacks and snow-shoes, containing 

 food for about a week, and all necessary implements for making 

 their camp at night, set out in search of a moose-yard. When 

 they have discovered one, they collect their dogs and encamp 

 for the night, in order to be ready to commence the chase at 

 an early hour, before the sun softens the crust upon the snow, 

 which would retard the dogs and facilitate the escape of the 

 deer. At daybreak the dogs are let on, and the hunters, 

 wearing large snow-shoes, follow as closely as possible. As 

 soon as the dogs approach a moose, tbey assail him on all 

 sides, and force him to attempt his escape by flight. The 



