!84 THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



forward the reconnoissance and thus put an end to this 

 anxiety and doubt, whether the weather becomes more 

 favorable or not, as I can no longer endure this suspense. 

 Deer-hunting has already become monotonous to me, and 

 I am determined to seek in this grand forest larger game, 

 other scenery, and new excitement in the chase. 



I am told by the captain that the exposure and fatigue 

 inseparable from moose-stalking is so great as to deter 

 many of the pioneer backwoodsmen from attempting to 

 participate in it. He pictures for me the discomforts that 

 may arise from a severe storm at this season of the year, 

 when we are separated from our tents and blankets, and 

 thus compelled to endure its merciless peltings after a long 

 and weary day's tramp. He reminds me of the fact that 

 when I first came into the Canadian forest, only a few years 

 since, I was scarcely able to endure the hardships of an 

 ordinary deer-hunt, and then asks me, Can you now tramp 

 forty miles in a day, sleep on the frozen ground at night, 

 and repeat this effort for several days continuously? He 

 likewise kindly suggested that he, accompanied by George 

 Ross, could make this reconnoissance while I remained in 

 the camp with the photographer, and thus avoided the 

 hardships attendant on the discovery of the most favorable 

 locality for moose-hunting. It should here be remembered 

 by our readers that it was now, at this time, our intention 

 to discover the whereabouts of the game which we sought, 

 rather than to kill the same. 



This proposition was rejected by the author, since it did 

 not harmonize with his wishes. He desired greater activity, 

 new sports, and changed surroundings. 



