FOREST LIFE PLAY. 31 



sticks before a roasting fire. Further, there are fresh 

 trout from the lake, whether caught by the head or tail 

 does not matter; the jerked venison that we have heard 

 of, and savoury salt pork; all of which, when ready for 

 dishing, are placed on slices of birch-bark fresh peeled 

 from the trees. While for drinkables, there are tea, and 

 excellent spring water, into which people with whom cold 

 water disagrees, (there are such queer folks in the world,) 

 may pop the least possible dose of brandy. Those who, 

 for once and away, cannot contrive to make a dinner on 

 such materials, are recommended to keep out of the 

 woods ! 



In ' this lake country, deer are sometimes hunted by 

 candlelight. A box open in front, and large enough to 

 hold several candles, is placed on a post about four feet 

 high in the bows of the boat. The marksman sits on a 

 low seat close behind this ; and then, rowing noiselessly 

 in the dark to where the deer are feeding by the edges 

 of the stream, a full- blaze is thrown upon the animal, 

 while the hunter, who is quiet in the shadow, takes aim 

 quietly, and " does " for him. 



But deer, and moose, and bears, are not the only 

 "game" to be found in American forests. In some of 

 them, that comical little pig, the peccary, may be met 

 with ; and a fierce little beast he is too. His teeth are 

 as sharp as knives ; and woe be to man or beast who 

 comes within their reach; for it is "no surrender " with 

 the peccary. The creatures go about in droves of from 

 ten to fifty ; will attack anything, or anybody that comes 

 in their way, no matter how well armed ; and, as they 

 make a point of fighting it out to the last, till there is not 



