174 Moose -Hunting. 



We were just clambering over a ledge of rocks on the hill-side 

 when Swarsin said : 



" Best get gun ready ; moose only little ways 'head now ! " 



The words were hardly spoken, when the booming report of 

 Sebatis's smooth-bore echoed through the woods, and the blue 

 smoke from the discharge, floating up through the trees, pointed 

 our way. 



Sebatis did not seem elated with his success, though the animal 

 he had killed was a full-grown cow-moose. 



" Lost big moose again," he said. " I follow this one, think big 

 moose all time." 



" " How did you get mistaken ? " 



"I don't get 'staken 'rail, — find plenty sign two moose, — follow 

 track bigges' one, — by-em-by lost track — don't see not'in'." 



" Where did you lose the track ? " 



"Jus' little ways this side big barren, small lake handy, I think 

 go on water — hide somewhere. You see, always moose like water 

 pretty well ; in summer time, when flies bad, moose get right under 

 water jus' like porp'us, jus' leave nose out, then nobody can't see 

 'im 't all." 



" How did you happen on the track of the cow-moose ?" 



" Well, you see, when I los' sign bull-moose, I go hunt 'im some- 

 where, then I find sign cow-moose." 



" Do you think the big bull was in company with the cow-moose? 

 Isn't the season almost too late ? " 



"No, not too late yet. I think jus' what you think, — may be 

 bull come again by-em-by, then good chance call 'im to-night." 



"What goin' to do with moose, Sebatis?" said Swarsin. 



"Butcher 'im, then put 'im in camp, — camp handy, 'bout half 

 mile." 



The Indians, with a dexterity acquired by long practice, skinned 

 the moose, cut up the carcass, and packed it into camp. 



" Now," said Sebatis, " I go hunt chance call bull-moose to-night; 

 Swarsin, he stay camp an' get wood an' make fire, by-em-by we have 

 pretty good supper." 



Sebatis was not long absent ; on his return, he sat down in a taci- 

 turn mood to the supper which Swarsin had cooked. 



Much as I have been in the society of Indians, I have never got 



