CHAPTER XVI. 



HUNTING DEEP. AT DIFFERENT SEASONS. 



In the latter part of June, deer generally keep 

 themselves in the swales, or marshes, near the small 

 streams, where the grass starts the earliest. The 

 usual method of hunting them at these places was to 

 encamp in the vicinity, and watch early in the morn- 

 ing and late at evening, when they go out to feed. 

 If the woods are not open, the hunter ascended a 

 tree or eminence where he could command a more 

 extended view. When he discovered a deer, he slip- 

 ped down, and endeavored to approach it by another 

 direction than the one in which they were moving, as 

 they always look behind them for danger. It is 

 always necessary for the hunter to keep on the lee- 

 ward side of the deer, as their keen scent will detect 

 I his presence and flee, long before he can approach 

 within shot, if the wind blows from him to the deer. 

 The manner of curing the meat is the same as that 

 / of the elk. It is first cut from the bone in thin slices 

 ' and salted in the skin. It is easily preserved, less 

 than a pint of salt with a little saltpeter, being suffi- 

 cient for a deer. When it has lain from twelve to 

 twenty-four hours, a scaffold is built, upon which the 

 meat is spread, and a slow lire built underneath. 



