142 THE BARREN-GROUND CARIBOU 



line ; traps set for Fox, Marten, and Mink, but 

 none contained quarry. I came on a few Spruce 

 Grouse, while halted, and while Philip was 

 examining a Fox set, I, to Eaglefoot's astonish- 

 ment, shot one with my catapult. He had 

 never seen my " noiseless gun " before, and 

 picked up the dead bird to examine it and 

 reassure himself that I really had struck it to 

 death. 



Proceeding we travelled north up a long inlet 

 bay to the north-east of Fort Du Brochet, thence 

 over one long portage, and then through four 

 small lakes and on to a big irregularly shaped 

 lake named Sand Lake. 



At first fire the sled-bells were removed from 

 the dog-harness, for they are never used when 

 serious hunting begins ; obviously because of 

 the sound. 



Soon after first fire (three hours out — the first 

 rest for dogs, and fire for a drink of hot tea), on 

 entering Sand Lake, twelve Caribou were sighted, 

 but they were, a moment later, disturbed by an 

 Indian, who appeared ahead and gave chase. 

 Before long, however, they doubled back towards 

 our party, and Philip shot once without effect. 

 When nearing the end of the north bay of this 

 lake, about forty Caribou were sighted. At once 

 the dogs were run into forest ambush, and we 

 waited in hiding for the oncoming animals. Ulti- 

 mately I succeeded in making four exposures 

 of a few of those Caribou, but the main herd went 

 away north-east. When there was no longer 

 prospect of obtaining further photographs of 

 this lot, Philip and Eaglefoot fired on them at 



