I9 6 THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



our reconnoissance, while the second begins with the fol- 

 lowing entries : 



Friday, October 24. We encamped last night on the 

 moose-trail, but it is obliterated this morning by a slight 

 fall of snow. The leaves were wet last evening, but are 

 firmly frozen now ; consequently the slightest movement 

 in walking is attended with a degree of noise entirely in- 

 compatible with success in still-hunting. There is no 

 possibility of our killing game until we are able to move 

 about more quietly. The storm continues, fine, hard 

 flakes of snow, closely allied to hail, are falling about us, 

 and producing considerable noise by coming in contact 

 with the frozen leaves and various parts of the forest-trees. 

 The morning was dark and gloomy, but we started off on 

 our tramp soon after daylight, having eaten our breakfast 

 while it was yet dark. 



The entire party is in good spirits, and, notwithstanding 

 the severe and prolonged efforts made yesterday, there is 

 no complaint of fatigue or other ill effects arising from 

 our tramp. The author found himself somewhat annoyed, 

 however, by the entrance of snow into all the crevices of 

 his clothing, especially about his neck, where it was con- 

 stantly melting, and the cold water gravitating downward 

 over the various parts of his body. Under more favorable 

 circumstances the remedy for this annoyance would have 

 been very easy ; but no man in our party is, at this time, 

 in possession of a handkerchief, and consequently " the ills 

 which cannot be cured must be endured." 



During the whole forenoon the storm continued, and 

 at one o'clock, when we halted for our lunch, the ground 



