( ariboit -Hunting. 



2I 5 



in color; and, were it not for occasional effects of light disclosing his 

 position, the hunter might frequently pass within easy shot without 

 seeing him. The Indians are so well aware of this that they always 

 approach a barren with extreme caution, always traveling down 

 wind, and never disconcerted if game is not sighted at once. Nor is 

 the case improved when one comes to hunt for them in the forest ; 

 there, the gray tree-trunks and tangled undergrowth make it ex- 

 tremely difficult to see them. 



CARIBOU CROSSING A FROZEN LAKE. 



The caribou, whatever may be his need for haste, seldom bounds 

 or gallops, except for a few jumps when first he spies his enemy, but 

 drops into his accustomed trot, which carries him over the ground 

 with great rapidity, and then, no matter how old a hand the hunter 

 maybe, nothing but the admirable skill in venery of his Indian guide 

 will afford him the slightest chance of coming up with the game again. 



The indifference or curiosity with regard to the noise of fire-arms 

 exhibited by the caribou often stands the hunter in good stead and 

 affords him a chance for a second shot, should his first prove ineffect- 

 ual ; for it is not uncommon for a herd to stand stock-still on hearing 

 the report of a gun, even when one of their number has fallen a 

 victim thereto. The pause is but for an instant, and the hunter must 

 be quick to take advantage of it, or his chance will be gone before 

 he is aware of it ; for, recovering quickly from the shock, or alarm, 

 or whatever it may be, the herd will dash off at a rattling pace. 



