202 HUNTING- SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



of trees. Sometimes they will take a strip, following 

 some ridge or swamp, feeding upon the brush until they 

 fill themselves, and then lie down, the next day pro- 

 gressing on further. 



"The last moose which I killed," said Merritt, "was 

 out back of Brompton lake, in Canada. I was hunting 

 with J. Bonney. It was near night, when we came upon 

 a moose-yard. We had taken provisions but for one 

 day. We were not expecting then to chase them, but 

 merely to find their place of yarding, and then wait 

 until the snow became deeper before we disturbed them. 

 When the snow was deep, and particularly when there 

 was an icy crust, we could soon run" them down and 

 shoot them. Bonney was for giving immediate chase. 

 I persuaded him to camp that night, and in the morning 

 to ascertain where we could get some provisions before 

 we started them, as the chase might last, as it frequently 

 did when there was but little snow, five or six days. 

 The next day, it took us until about noon before we 

 could find anything to eat. We then obtained three 

 quarts of Indian-meal, and about four pounds of bull- 

 beef. We had with us a small kettle, with the aid of 

 which we made our meal into porridge. Our dogs 

 shared our provisions with us. We did but little this 

 day, the second of our trip, except to get back upon the 

 trail. The third day we gave chase ; but, before night, 

 Bonney was for giving up the pursuit. I persuaded 

 him to continue, told him that he had been fierce to 

 begin the pursuit when we had nothing to eat, and now 

 when we had beef and porridge, I was for going ahead. 

 Near night the dogs came up with them, but too late for 



