IN THE LAND OF THE GREAT SPIRIT 153 



lumps of hair lying all about. We did not follow the 

 animals, but took up the old spoor. We felt pretty 

 certain that our big bull would be too stiff to travel 

 much, and that sooner or later we should bring him 

 to book. And this we should have done but for an 

 untimely performance on the part of the Cree. It 

 fell on this wise. 



The bull was still trying to travel. But not being 

 pushed, he took it as easily as he could, lying 

 down at frequent intervals. Closer and closer we 

 drew upon him, and about twelve o'clock there were 

 unmistakable evidences that he was not far off. I 

 had hung back for a moment to tighten a moccasin. 

 Kakikapo in front, by some unaccountable careless- 

 ness, caught his toe in a stump or something, fell 

 forward, and in recovering swung round the stock of 

 his gun, which hit upon the tin he carried at his 

 back with a loud clash. Instantly there was a crash 

 in the bushes as the big bull, who had been lying 

 down not forty yards away, rose and went pounding 

 off among the trees. 



It was a sad journey home and a weary one, for 

 nothing tires like disappointment. 



But I shot my first great grey owl"^ that evening by 

 * Syrnia cinerea. 



/3^' 



