LAKE MAELPEG AND MOUNT SYLVESTER 303 



which kept leaping up from the ground at its side. On 

 approaching to within eighty yards of the deer, he saw that 

 the curious object was a young fox engaged in an attempt to 

 make the larger animal have a game with him. The fox 

 repeatedly sprang into the air, snapping at the deer's side, 

 and then, as these manoeuvres were resented by the stag 

 lowering its head to strike, it rushed round to the other side 

 to repeat the performance. The nimble game went on for 

 several minutes, Reynard apparently enjoying the fun of 

 chaffing his clumsy friend, who did not appear to appreciate 

 the joke in the slightest degree. Sometimes it bounded for- 

 ward as if to seize the stag's nose, and then as quickly sprang 

 backwards, standing just out of reach in the most provoking 

 manner. My readers will be glad to hear that this merry 

 little fellow retreated in safety. 



Every day I went hunting either in Shoe Hill, Kesoquit, 

 Maelpeg, or along Keskitpegawi. Deer were in abundance, 

 generally in mixed companies or single stags that had finished 

 the rut. On 30th October I saw nine big stags and 1 1 5 does 

 and small deer, but nothing of importance. Except for two 

 small gales with rain, the weather was delightful, and I enjoyed 

 the experience of seeing an abundance of game and good heads 

 all in the open country where a man can use his glass without 

 hindrance. On 31st October the big migration set in from 

 the north, and I saw no fewer than fourteen big stags and 

 145 does. These all came from the forest to the east of 

 Sylvester, so I sent Steve to Kesoquit for more supplies, and 

 went north with John to meet the deer and build a fresh 

 camp. On 31st November a terrific gale with heavy rain 

 burst upon us from the east, and for three days we endured 

 considerable discomfort from the shifting winds. The water 

 sometimes poured in under our flimsy sheet, and a tent would 



