THE MOOSE. 179 



pieces were packed up and buried in the snow, the 

 pickings being given to the dogs, who enjoyed them 

 thoroughly. The Indians supped heartily on the 

 venison, eat until they could stuff no longer, and 

 then went to sleep, and snored like steam-engines. 

 After so full a meal, old Jack tried hard to get hold 

 of the brandy bottle, but we were too watchful for 

 him. Next morning, the Indians were very anxious 

 that we should continue hunting moose ; but McLean 

 and myself having by this time discovered that the 

 pleasm-e was not worth the trouble, made up our 

 minds to go back as soon as possible ; so that, 

 about mid-day, everything being packed up, we 

 stai-ted on our way back agam to Quebec. 



Two hours afterwards, the dogs began to bark 

 furiously at the foot of a hill, and we heard pre- 

 sently a tremendous crashing of branches and 

 twigs. There were five large caribous (the Ame- 

 rican reindeer) galloping at about a hundred yards 

 from our -party. McLean and I both fired, but to 

 no purpose ; our bullets were wasted upon the 

 branches of the forest, and the herd soon disap- 

 peai-ed in the distance. It was of no use attempting 

 to follow them, for the snow was now hardened by 

 the afternoon cold, and the hoofs of the caribous 

 scarcely made any impression. That night we 

 reached the first cabin which we had erected, and, 

 as may be supposed, we found it quite unoccupied. 

 The snow, however, had drifted un against its sides. 



