MY FIRST SNOW-SHOES 247 



a fresh track of a large moose, which had 

 crossed the road a mile and a half back ; that 

 he had apparently gone only a short distance, 

 and could be easily got. This aroused the slum- 

 bering fire, and put new energy into the old 

 hunter. He started off, and secured the use 

 of the dogs that the boys had from their 

 owners, overhauled and repaired two pairs of 

 snow-shoes, and was awaiting my return from 

 the goose-hunt. 



Scarcely did he allow me time to take tea 

 when the proposal of our going after that 

 moose was made. His enthusiasm aroused 

 mine, which was further increased with the 

 prospect of a veritable snow-shoe hunt with 

 dogs, something I had wanted to have a share 

 in for years ; but to me there was a very serious 

 obstacle now. This moose could only be 

 approached on snow-shoes, and a pair had 

 never been on my feet. To get the spring- 

 halt gait necessary for rapid striding seemed 

 to me right then a formidable task ; but the 

 old man encouraged me by fastening them on, 

 and helping me to travel over the crust in the 

 fields, accompanying me, so as to teach the 

 gait. I was conceited enough to think I 



