CARIBOO HUNTING. 163 



and the chilling snow-water soaks into our feet. We 

 look anxiously ahead for the game, but they have crossed 

 the bog ; nor are they on the next, which we can scan 

 from our present position. They must be in that dark 

 patch of woods just beyond, which skirts the barren, 

 for we have followed them up to its northern edge. 

 What a pity ! for the snow under the shade of the 

 forest is still hard and crusted, and its crunching 

 sound, under the pressure of our moccasins, step we 

 ever so lightly, cannot escape the ear of the cariboo. 

 Yes, they have entered the wood, and just as we 

 prepare to follow them, and gently open our way 

 through the outlying thickets, I hear a light snap 

 of a bough within, which sends my heart nearly to 

 my mouth. Another step, and Noel at once points to 

 game, and I see some shadowy forms moving among the 

 trees, at about fifty yards' distance. Now is the time ; an 

 instant more and we should be discovered, and the 

 cariboo bound off scatheless, with electric speed. The 

 quick crack of my rifle is followed by the roar of the 

 Indian's gun (which I afterwards ascertained contained 

 two balls, and about four drachms of powder), and the 

 branches loudly crash in front as the herd starts in 

 headlong flight. 



There was blood on the snow, as we came up to the 

 spot whence they had fled : a broad trail of it led from 

 the spot where the animal I had fired at had been stand- 

 ing. Presently I saw the cariboo ahead, going very 

 slowly, and making round for the barren again, having 

 left the herd. The poor creature s doom was sealed ; for, 

 as we emerged from the woods, we saw it lying down, 

 and a fawn, which had accompanied it, made quickly off 



