LAKE MAELPEG AND MOUNT SYLVESTER 297 



observed a fresh stag advancing from the north along the 

 lake shore, and accordingly we lay flat right in the midst 

 of the deer, which were by this time very uneasy. I could 

 not use the glass, but a temporary clearing gave us a glimpse 

 of the newcomer's head, which was large but not remarkable. 

 At this point we obtained some slight cover from a few 

 " tufts," so, running swiftly forward whilst the does bunched 

 together and stared at us, I got within 150 yards of the 

 master -stag, and laid him low with a bullet behind the 

 shoulder. 



At the shot five more deer appeared on a knoll about 

 150 yards to the left, amongst which was a three-year-old 

 stag. This the Indians desired me to shoot, for the purpose 

 of making wading-boots to be used in descending the river. 

 Accordingly I lay down again, and was successful in striking 

 the deer through the heart, at which he ran about sixty 

 yards and then fell. 



There were some big stumps of dry wood here, so we 

 all set to work at once, John skinning the three-year-old 

 stag, Steve taking off the head of the big stag, and I lighting 

 a fire and cooking dinner. The place was very exposed 

 and the snow falling thickly, so it was some time before 

 we finished our tasks. The young stag was in prime 

 condition, so we took a haunch and the breast as well as 

 his skin, and thus heavily laden returned to camp. In the 

 evening I admired the skill with which the Indians fashioned 

 their long boots. First of all the skin is cleaned, then Steve, 

 making his knife as sharp as a razor, shaved off all the hair. 

 The two pairs of boots were then cut into shape, and after- 

 wards sewn tightly with thread made from the sinews of 

 the deer's back. A seamed-over stitch is used, and very 

 tightly clinched. John Hinx was engaged meanwhile in 



