136" FOREST LIFE IN ACADIE. 



into play, and the sport becomes assimilated to that of| 

 deer-stalking. 



It is almost hopeless to attempt an explanation of the! 

 Indian's art of hunting in the woods — stalking an 

 invisible quarry ever on the watch and constantly on the 

 move, through an ever-varying succession of swamps, 

 burnt country, or thick forest. A review of all the 

 shifts and expedients practised in creeping, from the first 

 finding of recent tracks to the exciting moment when the 

 Indian whispers " Quite fresh; put on cap," would be im- 

 practicable. I confess that like many other young hunters 

 or like the conceited blundering settlers, who are for 

 ever cruising through the woods, and doing little else 

 (save by a chance shot) than scaring the country, I once 

 fondly hoped to be able to master the art, and to hunt on 

 my own account. Fifteen years' experience has unde- 

 ceived me, and compels me to acknowledge the superiority 

 of the red man in all matters relating to the art of 



« />.^->n^^^*^ ■' ■; 



venerie 



in the American woodlands. 



When brought up to the game in the forest, there is 

 also some difficulty in realising the presence of the 

 cariboo. At all times of the year its colour is so similar 

 to the pervading hues of the woods, that the animal, 

 when in repose, is exceedingly difficult of detection : in 

 winter, especially, when standing amongst the snow- 

 dappled stems of mixed spruce and birch woods, they are 

 so hard to see, and their light gray hue renders the judg- 

 ing of distance and aim so uncertain, that many escape 

 the hunter s bullet at distances, and under circumstances, 

 which should otherwise admit of no excuse for a miss. 



And now let us proceed to our hunting ground. 



The first light snow had just fallen after two or three 



