CHAPTER XII. 



INDIAN MODE OF HUNTING LYNX AND MARTEN. 



Snaring is the principal way in which the 

 lynxes are killed by the North American In- 

 dians. After a heavy fall of snow, however, if 

 an Indian crosses a fresh lynx track, he imme- 

 diately gives chase, even if he has only his belt 

 axe. 



The hunter only follows very fresh tracks, 

 and in a short time comes up with the big cat. 

 As soon as the animal knows it is pursued, it 

 either climbs a tree or crouches under some 

 thick shrub. If the hunter finds it up a tree, 

 he sets to work at once to cut down the tree 

 (that is if he has no gun). As soon as the tree 

 totters he makes his way in the direction which 

 it is to fall. The lynx clings to the tree until 

 near the ground, and then springs clear. While 

 he is floundering in the snow, the Indian brave- 

 ly runs in and knocks him with his axe. Of 

 course, if he has his gun, he simply shoots the 

 cat and it tumbles dead to the foot of the tree. 

 The feat of running down a lynx and shooting 

 him with a bow and arrow is what all Indian 



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