A MOOSE HUNT ON SNOW-SHOES 



135 



birch bark, or simply with fir boughs. An enormous fire is built 

 in front, which must be to the leeward if there is any wind. If 

 the wind shifts in the night, the camp may readily be turned to suit. 



On the levelled ground the small tips of ' sapin ' or the balsam 

 fir are deeply strewn and the camp is complete. Nature seems 

 to have furnished the flat leaves of the balsam fir for the purpose 

 of furnishing the tired hunter with a luxurious and aromatic bed. 

 So quickly is a home prepared in the wilderness. 



The fire is kindled on top of the snow about three feet above 

 the bed, but it quickly eats its way down to the same level. Had 



THE AUTHOR'S LIBRARY. THE FINAL RESTING-PLACE OF THE MOOSE-HEAD. 



the men not dug the snow hole, they would find the fire by midnight 

 in a deep pit below them. The men roast slices of pork at the 

 roaring flames, boil tea in their tin kettles, and with hard bread 

 complete their frugal supper. Without extra covering they fall 

 to sleep before their camp fire. At times one or another rises, 

 stealthily carries a log from out the darkness and throws it on the 

 flames. 



A few hundred yards distant the hunted moose has flung down 

 his stiff and bleeding limbs for his last bivouac on the snow. 



That icy shiver which passes over the face of Nature immediately 



