62 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



the other, a halt was made, and the expression of the 

 guide spoke plainly of the vicinity of game ; without 

 questioning, we turned off to the left, still following in 

 single file. Stooping low and slowly advancing for 

 some moments, we came upon a yard hut, alas ! 

 deserted ; hut such had not been long the case. Our 

 dark-skinned companions were jubilant; visions of 

 moose meat floated before them, and straight they 

 directed their steps to the place of exit, for the occu- 

 pants had winded us earlier than expected. To a 

 novice but one track appeared, yet the Indians held up 

 four fingers to indicate that number of inmates. Soon 

 we found their information correct ; for, after a pur- 

 suit of an hour and a half, we perceived our game a 

 bull, cow, and two calves going over a neighbouring 

 swell. The reason of the deceptive appearance of the 

 trail is caused by the cow and calves stepping as 

 nearly as possible in the footsteps of the bull, who 

 on such occasions invariably leads. 



Just as we supposed ourselves on the verge of 

 success, the moose passed through a second yard, 

 easily known by the trampled state of the snow and 

 barked sides of the trees. The occupants of this 

 retreat had joined those we were following. This 

 additional force to the pursued added fresh excitement 

 to the chase, and the distress resulting from pace was 

 for the time forgotten. In an hour more we were 

 again in view, and soon afterwards among the game. 

 My companions I will leave to themselves, and confine 

 myself to my own performance. One of the males had 

 a noble head of horns. These I determined to be pos- 

 sessed of; so, marking him for mine, resolved not 

 to halt till successful. Again and again I thought 



