TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 261 



backwater of the Sushitna, the profusion of shed 

 antlers told us that this spot was a wintering ground 

 beloved of numerous moose. Our men reported many 

 recent tracks leading to the river, and in the evening 

 Cecily and I investigated for some miles along the 

 reaches. Steve led us to a ford where obviously moose 

 crossed to the opposite bank, too deep for us to tackle, 

 and we planned an excursion thither on the morrow. 

 Making a wide detour, into the forest belt we turned 

 our steps campwards, and had hardly covered more 

 than half-a-mile before we suddenly jumped a bull 

 moose, who rushed away, his antlers striking the trees 

 in resounding whacks. When going off, startled, a 

 moose crashes through all obstacles, anyhow ; but 

 given their own time, they can pass through the 

 forest like wraiths, travelling silently as any panther. 

 Here and there we crossed trails of great distinctness 

 and width, evidence of the passing of numerous moose 

 to the river extending over a period of many years. 



Following up one trail in desultory fashion, all sud- 

 denly I realized that walking leisurely along, the 

 same way as we ourselves were travelling, was a fine 

 upstanding moose. He browsed as he went, or 

 sniffed the ground, and I caught the gleam of antlers 

 as he stooped. I could get in a shot which would 

 rake through to the off-shoulder, so, signing to our 

 man, who was now beginning to prance about in his 

 excitement lest I should fail to see so splendid a chance, 

 to keep quiet and give over signalling to me just as 

 though a moose at seventy yards' distance in open 

 ground could be easily overlooked I aimed clear of 



