Can bo it - Hunting. 229 



eighteen inches, and no matter how familiar one may be with it, 

 every fresh experience excites the same apprehension. 



I had just been let down in that way, when my attention was 

 attracted by Sebatis, and he beckoned me to where he and Tomah 

 were examining something. 



" Eight caribou all sleep here last night," he said, pointing to a 

 number of depressions in the snow. 



" How long since they started, Sebatis ? " 



" Start only little while, you see tracks so fresh. Always good 

 time hunt 'im when first started, 'cause bite 'im moss an' feedin'. then 

 he don't go fast 't all." 



" Best take 'im off snow-shoes an' walk in caribou tracks," said 

 Tomah. 



u Sartin that best, then don't make no noise," said Sebatis. 



This mode of traveling is anything but agreeable, but as the 

 snow was not very deep, it was greatly preferable to what I have 

 often experienced on other occasions, when one would sink half-way 

 to the knees at every step, and woe betide him if he made a false 

 step! 



" Caribou stop here feedin' little while," said Sebatis, pointing to 

 some newly cropped "old men's beard." 



" Caribou go two ways," said Tomah, who was a little in advance. 



The herd had separated, three caribou going toward the big 

 barren and five off in another direction. As it promised a better 

 chance for game, I imitated the tactics of the caribou, and divided 

 our party, taking Sebatis with me on the track of the five, and send- 

 ing Tomah off after the others. 



Plodding along in the foot-holes of the caribou was very leg- 

 tiring, but Sebatis kept on at a trot until brought to a stand by some 

 very fresh sign. 



" Caribou bite 'im moss here only 'bout t'ree minutes ago ; must 

 be handy somewhere; best put'im on snow-shoes again, may be have 

 run pretty quick by-em-by." 



After putting on his snow-shoes, Sebatis struck out in a direction 

 nearly parallel to the caribou trail, and we set off at a very much 

 quicker gait. 



We were just descending a slight declivity, when Sebatis waved 

 his hand to me, exclaiming at the same time : 

 15A 



