CARIBOO HUNTING. 147 



Boulders of rock and fallen trees were strewed over the 

 whole surface of the country in the wildest confusion ; 

 and the dark, snow-laden sky cast a shade over the 

 scene, investing it with the most forbidding and gloomy- 

 appearance imaginable. 



Carefully scanning the surrounding country, and not 

 perceiving any signs of the game, we proceeded on their 

 tracks, which were soon increased in number by those of 

 three other cariboo, joining in from the southward. They 

 led us throug-h some dense thickets, where we had to 

 proceed with the greatest caution, there being no wind, 

 and on account of the uncertainty of the moment or 

 place where we might come upon them. I was getting 

 tired of the whole proceeding, when, as we were crossing 

 an open spot amongst rocks and sparsely-growing spruce 

 clumps of about our own height, I saw Noel, who was 

 ahead, suddenly stop, with his hand held back, and 

 slowly subside in the snow, which proceedings of course 

 I followed, without question as to the cause or necessity. 



" What is it, Noel ? " said I, gaining his side by slowly 

 worming along in the snow, with difficulty keeping the 

 muzzle of my rifle above the surface. 



" Caliboo lying down,'' he replied. " You no see them 

 now ? Better fire, I think." 



I could not for my Hfe see the cariboo, although I 

 looked along the barrel of his gun, which he pointed for 

 me in the right direction. They are most difficult ani- 

 mals to recognise unless moving, being so exceedingly 

 similar in colour to the rocks and general features of the 

 barren, that only the eye of the Indian can readily detect 

 them when lying down. Noel had at once seen the herd ; 

 and here was I, unable to perceive them amongst the 



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