132 WITH GUN AND GUIDE 



trappers have talked about, calling him the ' big moose 

 of Cuxabexis Lake.' " Hundreds of times in the years 

 that were gone had I followed his tracks without even 

 getting a sight of him. He was now old and as gray 

 as a rat. The taxidermist, who afterward mounted his 

 head, said upon examination of it that he was at least 

 twenty years old. 



It was exactly eleven o'clock when I had finished 

 looking the moose over. It must not be forgotten that 

 I was still lost ; you may be sure I didn't forget it. 



The first thing to do was to endeavor to turn him 

 upon his back, so that he could be opened and the en- 

 trails removed, but struggle as I would I couldn't 

 move him in any way. I cut down a yellow birch 

 sapling and tried the stem of that, as a crowbar or 

 lever, with a small log as a fulcrum, but it was of no 

 use. He could not be budged. 



However, by lying prone on the ground, I managed 

 to get my hunting-knife into the carcass pretty far up. 

 Then by cutting down carefully I partly removed the 

 intestines so that the gases would have a free escape, 

 until I could find my way out and return with the men 

 to help in dressing him. 



I had a small hatchet on my belt and with this I 

 commenced " spotting " my way out, of course follow- 

 ing the brook. For a half mile it was easy work. 

 Then the brook again went down out of sight and I 

 came to an open place which was nigh to being im- 



