224 THE DRAMA OF THE FORESTS 



may go dnmuning into a thicket, and the moose, reading these 

 signs of alarm, will surely look about to learn the cause. 



"But, my son, should you spy a moose lying down, it is 

 rather risky to fire at it in that position, as it is then hard to hit 

 a vital spot. The better way is to stand with cocked gun 

 covering the game, and then break a twig — not too sharply 

 though, or you may scare away your quarry. Watch its ears: 

 if they flop back and forward, it has heard nothing, but if both 

 ears point in your direction, keep still and be ready, for it has 

 heard you, and now with one great spring it may disappear 

 into a thicket. Instead of breaking a twig, some hunters prefer 

 to whistle like a startled rabbit while other hunters prefer to 

 speak to the moose in a gentle voice, always taking care to use 

 none but kindly words, such as for instance: 'Oh, my lazy 

 brother, I see you are sleeping long this morning.' 



"For we Indians never speak harshly to so good an animal, 

 nor do we ever use bad words, as bad words always bring bad 

 luck to the hunter. 



"In winter, my son, a moose makes much noise in walking 

 and feeding, for then he often breaks off the tops of little trees — 

 though some of the trunks may be as thick as a man's arm. 

 The moose breaks down trees of such a size by placing his big 

 shoulder against it, and curving his powerful neck round it, and 

 then bending it over with his massive head. Then, too, he often 

 rides down small trees, such as birch or poplars, just by strad- 

 dling his fore legs about them and using his chest to force them 

 over. 



" In shooting a moose, remember the best spot is just behind 

 the shoulder, and while the next best is in the kidneys, the head 

 is not a good shot for a smooth-bore gun, for bone often deflects a 

 round ball. A good hunter always tries to get a clear view of 

 his quarry, for even a twig may deflect his bullet. And re- 

 member, too, my son, that as a rule, when coming upon a fresh 

 track, it is wiser to back-track it than to follow it up at once. 



