54 CERVID^!. 



and clashing their antlers together in presence of the 

 hunter, who, in utter forgetfulness of his rifle, stands 

 rooted to the ground at the sight of the magnificent 

 struggle. 



Sometimes, also, an animal, on approaching, comes to 

 a stand, apparently seized with vague doubts, and the 

 caller lures him on again with a suppressed grunting 

 sound, the imitation of which at close quarters is the 

 most difficult part of the accomplishment. In this the 

 "red men" are unrivalled; for though many of the 

 French- Canadian hunters imitate the ordinary bellow 

 very successfully, they are generally inferior in this most 

 critical point. If the sounds are clumsily executed, the 

 disappointed animal, though he would not hesitate, if con- 

 fronted, to attack any one rash enough to meet him, takes 

 alarm at an invisible danger, and beats a rapid retreat at 

 the very moment when the anxious watcher is about to 

 realize the reward of his toil and patience. When this 

 unfortunately happens, the sport is over for the night, 

 and there is nothing to be done but to light a fire and 

 smoke, or lie down to sleep till a little before daylight, 

 which is a very favourable hour for " calling," and by 

 that time the alarm has generally subsided, or other 

 moose have fed up to within call. A temporary bivouac 

 is also not unfrequently rendered necessary by the sudden 

 springing up of a breeze in the early part of the night. 



