CARIBOO HUNTING. 139 



the night was still stormy, so we again sought soft spots 

 pn the inexorable benches around the stove in our den. 



" Hurrah, John ! '' said I, as we followed the Indian 

 up the ladder, and emerged into the cold morning air ; 

 " here's snow enough in all conscience — just the thing for 

 our hunting — step out now for the village, and let's try 

 and scare up a breakfast somewhere." 



It was still snowing heavily, and the country looked 

 as wintry as it could do even in North America. In the 

 distance appeared the little white wooden houses and 

 church of the village, and behind them rose up the great 

 grey form of the Cobequid Hills. The brisk walk 

 through the snow soon recalled warmth to our benumbed 

 frames, and, the village inn once reached, it was not 

 long ere the ample breakfast of ham and eggs and pota- 

 toes, pickles and cheese, cold squash-pie, and strong black 

 tea, was arranged before us. 



" Will the Indian make out with you, gents ? " asked 

 the exceedingly pretty innkeeper's daughter. We all 

 glanced at John, who laughed as he anticipated our 

 reply. 



" Oh, of course, yes ; we are all on the same footing 

 this morning, we guess. Come on, John, sit up and give 

 us some ham." 



The landlord — who affected to be a bit of a sportsman, 

 of course — told us there were lots of cariboo back in the 

 hills, and some moose, which he reckoned would be the 

 great object of our hunting; for, in this part of Nova 

 Scotia, the moose has only recently made his appearance, 

 and the settlers look upon him as far nobler game than 

 the common cariboo. Presently a sleigh with a stout 

 pony appeared for us at the door, and, loading it with 



