THE STORY OF THE MUSK-OX. 



431 



with their sledge-traces attached, and thus allowing himself to be pulled 

 along till within a short distance of the quarry. The difficulty is then to slip 

 the dogs at the right moment without allowing their traces to drag behind 

 them, and thus be liable to be trodden on by the bayed musk-oxen; but 

 clever hunters obviate this by tying the traces in a bundle on the backs of 

 the dogs just before they are slipped. When bayed and surrounded, the 

 members of the herd are shot down by the score, the great object being to 

 kill each animal outright, as otherwise there is great danger of its struggles 



MUSK OXEN AT BAY. 



inducing a stampede among the herd, which would involve another hunt. 

 Sometimes, however, the herd, even after having made a bolt, will return 

 to the spot where their comrades have fallen. When scenting danger, the 

 musk-oxen always retreat to some elevation near by, and upon the approach 

 of the enemy they form in a perfect line, their heads toward their foe; or, 

 if attacked at more than one point, they form a circle, their glaring, blood- 

 shot eyes restlessly watching the attack; and I think it would go hard with 



