n6 HUNTING CAMPS. 



after a protracted period of straining, for in the contest, 

 which resembled a wrestle rather than a fight, there were 

 no rushes, but rather a careful locking of the antlers, fol- 

 lowed by a strenuous shoving match, the old stag seemed 

 to get his horns against the forehead of his rival and began 

 to bear him back. Then suddenly the battle was over, 

 Big Bays gave way, leaped clear, the old stag made one 

 violent pass at his enemy's flank, and missed, and then 

 Big Bays was in full retreat. The old stag stood for a 

 moment rejoicing in his victory, then, possibly feeling 

 that order must be restored, he rounded up his harem and 

 passed away across the hilltop. The whole incident was 

 one we were delighted to have seen. Both of us were 

 struck by the lack of agility displayed by the stags, the 

 battle being, as I have said, purely a shoving match. 



Each time the stags engaged, however, the antlers 

 clashed together, producing a loud sound. It seemed as 

 though the massive caribou heads are difficult weapons 

 to manipulate, and I can very well understand that a head 

 with large and beautifully palmated antlers may be in- 

 ferior as a weapon to a lighter and more easily wielded 

 growth. 



I cannot think there is much danger to either com- 

 batant, except at the moment of defeat, when the victor 

 makes his rush at his opponent's flank. Indeed, it is prob- 

 able that nearly all the encounters which 'end fatally do 

 so because of the locking of the antlers, when, unable to 

 free themselves and consequently unable to feed, the un- 

 fortunate combatants starve to death. It is by no means 

 an uncommon thing to find dropped horns interlocked in 

 this way. But, on the other hand, all horns sold interlocked 

 need not necessarily have been so locked in fight, for with 

 a little force and the help of the fire and manipulation it is 

 said to be possible to lock two pairs of antlers artificially, 

 and I believe cases of this land are not unknown. A good 



