A LARGE HERD. 273 



very well what his horns were like, though I 

 could see with my glasses that he had got 

 horns. As it was about time for a rest and a 

 cup of tea, I told my men to make a fire in 

 a small patch of timber just in front of us, 

 whilst I went to look at the stag. 



As I had got the wind right, and as there 

 was not a stick of cover between me and the 

 caribou, I simply walked straight towards them 

 across the bog. They did not appear to notice 

 me imtil I was within three hundred yards of 

 them ; then they all stood looking at me until 

 I had approached well within shot. 



The horns of the stag looked to me very fine, 

 and I was quite near enough to take a shot at 

 him, but the cold, sleety rain was beating 

 straight into my eyes in such a way that I 

 found it impossible to do so. Then an old doe 

 started off at a trot, all the rest of the herd fol- 

 lowing, and the stag bringing up the rear. 

 They only ran about one hundred yards, then 

 wheeling round again stood looking at me for a 

 few moments, and then, with noses outstretched, 



came trotting back towards me. 



18 



