Moose -Hunting. 1 7 3 



to convince him of the folly of entertaining such thoughts were un- 

 availing. He still held that it had no existence in fact, and was merely 

 a device of the evil one. It really seemed as if he wished to avoid 

 discussion, so I let the subject drop. 



We were now rejoined by Swarsin, who had followed the moose 

 track to the edge of a swamp. 



When sojourning in the woods, you have only to express a wish 

 for a nice cool spring, and your Jidus Achates, if he be an Indian, 

 seldom fails to find one. In the present instance there was one at 

 hand, as usual. We halted long enough to lunch and to smoke a 

 pipe, and then were off again on the trail of the moose. 



We now changed our tactics. Sebatis, having appointed a ren- 

 dezvous at the outlet of a small lake, went off alone, while Swarsin 

 and I tramped over to the swamp to try our luck there. Deftly pick- 

 ing up the sign, Swarsin led me through the treacherous bog, where 

 I sometimes broke in to my knees, and considered myself lucky even 

 in getting off so fortunately as that. After half an hour of this, I was 

 overjoyed to find that the moose had taken to the forest again. How- 

 ever, my joy was short-lived, for soon we were again on descending 

 ground interspersed with swamps and bogs, — a most detestable 

 country to travel in, but fortunately, at this time of year, clear of those 

 torments, black-flies and mosquitoes. 



" Two moose track here," said Swarsin. " What best do now? " 



" Keep on till we meet Sebatis." 



" I see 'im Sebatis track little ways back. One moose turn back ; 

 Sebatis follow that one." 



" Well, I suppose we had better keep on after the other moose." 



" No ; Sebatis break branches he want us follow same way." 



" How do you know he broke the branches? Perhaps the moose 

 was browsing on them." 



" I can tell pretty quick. Sebatis break 'im ; always moose bite 

 'im." 



Submitting to his superior wood-craft, I told him to lead the way. 



This time the moose led us over bowlder-strewn hills, with here 

 and there a windfall thrown in. Now, in a country like this, the 

 moose has much the advantage of the hunter, his long legs enabling 

 him to clear obstacles which cause the hunters to pause now and then 

 to regain their wind. 



