THE HOME OF THE REINDEER. 85 



through the water was really marvellous, and for a time 

 it looked as if we would not be able to overtake it with 

 our light canoe and four paddles. Every muscle was 

 strained, both of deer and men, so that the hunt resolved 

 itself into a veritable race for life. Unfortunately for 

 the poor animal, though, the course was too long, and 

 before it could reach the shore we had overhauled and 

 shot it. That night we enjoyed our first meal of venison. 



The next day, after descending the river a distance of 

 five or six miles, and getting into a body of water named 

 Carey Lake, through which we were steering a central 

 course, one of the party called attention to something 

 moving on the distant shore to our right. It turned out 

 to be not one but a band of deer. Our canoes were 

 headed to leeward of the band, that they might not 

 scent us as we approached the shore. Drawing nearer 

 we found there was not only one band, but that there 

 were many great bands, literally covering the country 

 over wide areas. The valleys and hillsides for miles 

 -appeared to be moving masses of reindeer. To estimate 

 their numbers would be impossible. They could only be 

 reckoned in acres or square miles. 



After a short consultation a place for landing, near a 

 small grove of tamarack one of the last we saw was 

 chosen. Rifles were examined, and an ample supply 

 of cartridges provided. Shot-guns and revolvers were 

 furnished to four of the men, and thus prepared we 

 landed and drew up the canoes. So far the deer had 

 -apparently not seen us, but to prevent a general stam- 

 pede, it was arranged that I should go around to the rear 

 of a large detachment of the herd, near by, w T hile my 

 brother should approach them from the shore. Accord- 



