THE MOOSE, OR ELK. 91 



may be described as a similar mode of hunting to stalking. 

 The ground we select is among the " barrens " before described. 

 It is strewed with dead trees in all directions, amid which 

 briars and bushes have grown up, and conceal their sharp, 

 broken limbs, and the rough granite rocks scattered in all 

 directions. Here, collecting wood for burning, we form our 

 camp, and sit round the blazing fire, on which a well-filled 

 frying-pan is hissing, while we are covered by our blankets to 

 protect ourselves from the pattering rain-drops. Our suppers 

 over, we stretch ourselves for repose, and gradually fall asleep, 

 as the snapping of the logs on the fire, the pattering of the 

 rain, and the hootings of the owls in the distant forest become 

 less and less distinct. Our Indian brings us notice in the 

 morning that two moose have passed close to the camp dur- 

 ing the night. However, in spite of the plaintive call from 

 the treacherous bark trumpet, they will not approach, having 

 been forewarned of danger by the smell of our camp-fire. 

 We make our way amid the bushes, already leafless, except 

 that here and there are seen bunches of dwarf maples with a 

 few scarlet leaves of autumn still clinging to them. Presently 

 our companion whispers, " Down sink down ! slow like 

 rne ! " A magnificent bull appears about five hundred yards 

 off The wind is blowing from him to us. The Indian utters 

 the usual call ; but the moose does not answer, having already 

 a companion close at hand. Presently he lies down in the 

 bushes, and we worm ourselves slowly and laboriously towards 

 the edge of the alder swamp. Gently lowering ourselves into 

 the swamp, we creep noiselessly through the dense bushes, 

 their thick foliage closing over our heads. It is an anxious 

 moment ! the slightest snapping of a bough, the knocking of 

 a gun-barrel against a stem, and the game is off! " We must 



