A MOOSE COW. 167 



quickly, and were just on the point of entering 

 the thick forest beyond, when I got within 

 shot of them. I was obhged to fire at the cow, 

 as the calf was alread}^ amongst the trees in 

 front of her, but could I have got closer to 

 them, and had I had more time for con- 

 sideration, I should have shot the calf and 

 let its mother go free, as the former, although 

 I think it was old enough to get its own 

 food, could not have defended itself against 

 wolves, which ravenous animals are said to 

 kill large numbers of young moose and 

 caribou. 



AVhen hit and mortally wounded the old 

 cow turned round and again made for the 

 river, falling dead just in the water. On my 

 walking up to look at her, the calf came out 

 of the forest, and trotted up to within seven 

 or eight yards of me, then retreated a little 

 way up the open beach, and then came back 

 to me again. The wind was blowing from 

 behind me straight on to it, and it evidently 

 mistrusted its first introduction to the smell 

 of a human being, as it bristled up all the long 



