THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



the place of the former article, while a chip from a neigh- 

 boring tree, or a suitable piece of birch-bark, served as a 

 very good substitute for the latter. The earth, which we 

 commonly employed as a table, and which we likewise 

 used in lieu of camp-stools or chairs when taking our 

 meals, was now covered with snow, and consequently we 

 remained standing while taking this mid-day meal. 



Ample justice having been done to the coffee, dried 

 venison, and cramper, and without waiting for dessert, 

 finger-bowl, or cigars, we moved forward. We had pro- 

 ceeded about one mile from the spot where the halt had 

 been made for our dinner when the captain, who was 

 leading the party, being only a few yards in advance of 

 George Ross and myself, raised his right hand as a signal 

 for us to come to a stand-still ; but he soon after beckoned 

 us to come forward to the spot where he stood. He had, 

 at the moment when he gave the signal to stop, just 

 reached a point near the top of a ridge, which we were 

 ascending, that enabled him to overlook this eminence and 

 obtain a view of another ridge, distant about one hundred 

 and fifty yards. The instant he gave this signal it was 

 plain to both George and myself that he had sighted game. 

 His manner at such times was always characteristic, and 

 could not be misinterpreted by those who were familiar 

 with him. The instant he sighted game he would throw 

 up his right hand and then remain as motionless as a 

 marble statue, unless he desired to bring either George 

 or myself to his side ; but the second signal was sure to 

 follow the first during this reconnoissance, since the cap- 

 tain did not carry a gun. 



