MOOSE HUNTING IN THE BACKWOODS 



long vigil in the frosty air. Then the advancing bull is given to 

 ' smashing around ', as the Indians put it venting his bad temper on 

 the unresisting trees, and knocking his antlers against fire-killed 

 stumps, which answer with a hollow reverberation to his blows. 

 The sight of a bristling mane also fails to inspire confidence in the 

 huge beast's intentions should he succeed in gaining close quarters. 

 However, I was armed with a Winchester 45*90 repeating rifle ; 

 and though the first shot failed to kill, the second sent the big animal 

 plunging heavily on his knees. A third shot was administered as 

 the coup de grace. As for the cow, she appeared to vanish as if by 

 magic, without the slightest noise. 



THE FALLEN MONARCH. 



Under such circumstances it was not a matter of danger to bag 

 our noble quarry, but it often happens that the most skilful caller 

 cannot succeed in getting the moose to come within range, because, 

 for some unknown reason, the animal's suspicions have been aroused. 



Then it becomes necessary to creep out in the open towards him, 

 and if the hunter has not the nerve to stand his ground before a 

 charge that can be as frenzied as that of an African bison, and send 

 a decisive ball into the brain or shoulder of his foe, he had far 

 better have engaged in other pastime. 



There are other ways of hunting the moose besides calling and 

 ' still hunting ' or stalking ; but they are all unsportsmanlike, and 



