METHOD OF TAKING MOOSE. 63 



that but a few minutes would elapse till I could shoot ; 

 but either from the snow being less deep, or the animal 

 making extra efforts, at least an hour had elapsed before 

 the quarry was sufficiently close to deliver with pre- 

 cision a fatal shot. 



Soon I was joined by one of the Indians, then by 

 the remainder of our party. Four moose had been 

 killed; so my companion and self agreed that we 

 had reaped enough reward for one day's work. Next 

 day was equally successful, more game having been 

 seen than on the first essay. I doubt not, if we had 

 been so minded, for days we might have continued 

 this slaughter ; but, as it was, we had as much meat 

 as we could transport to the settlement. 



A more rapid manner of taking moose when there 

 is a crust, and one much practised, is to be accom- 

 panied by a small, active dog, which, if properly trained 

 to his work, will never lay hold, but only snap at the 

 quarry's heels. The poor moose is thus soon brought 

 to bay; for his active pursuer, whose weight is so 

 light that he does not break through the crust, dances 

 in security around the game, snapping at every ex- 

 posed point, and so engaging the victim's attention 

 that the hunter can approach the quarry sufficiently 

 close to deliver with certainty an unfailing shot. 



The flesh of the moose, although sweet, is very 

 coarse. Still, many people prefer it to any other. I 

 cannot say that such is the case with me, good beef 

 being to my idea infinitely superior. The tongue, last 

 entrail, and especially the mouffle or extremity of the 

 upper lip, are great delicacies, more particularly when 

 eaten cooked in the primitive style of the backwoods. 

 It may be the wood fire, it may be the want of season- 



