A HUNT IN THE LAURENTIDES 



among the roots of an overturned tree near the edge of the 

 water. On paddling closer we found that they were a female 

 Canada lynx and three nearly grown kittens which disappeared 

 into the woods like so many gray streaks before we came within 

 range. A short, swampy portage at the end of this lake brought 

 us to the shores of Lac des Pins Rouges, on the headwaters of 

 the Vermillion River. We ate luncheon with three Indian 

 trappers, camped in a birch-bark shelter near the outlet of the 

 lake. They had already trapped a number of muskrats and 

 beaver, and several days previous had crippled but not downed 

 a bull moose with the ancient musket which one of these men 

 carried. During the afternoon we glided smoothly down the 

 beautiful upper stretches of the Vermillion, and at twilight 

 camped in a grove of spruces at the intersection of a smaller 

 river which we were to ascend the following day. The next 

 morning at daylight we paddled up this river, which was known 

 as the Riviere de Savane, and five hours later glided into the 

 quiet waters of beautiful Lac Louis Gill. 



This small, round lake, about two miles in diameter, nestles 

 among high hardwood-covered mountains, which at this sea- 

 son of the year were vividly colored with all shades of scarlet, 

 orange, and yellow of frost- touched foliage. As we intended 

 to hunt in the vicinity for some time, .we built a birch-bark 

 shelter in the centre of a small circular island covered with a 

 growth of birches. The surrounding country was dotted with 

 lakes and intersected in every direction with sluggish, swamp- 

 bordered streams which furnished an ideal system of water- 

 ways for hunting in canoes. The most likely country was along 

 the upper portion of the river, and during the next few days,, 

 in course of reconnoitring expeditions, Stanislaus and myself 

 discovered a small lake in the vicinity of its headwaters, the 

 shores of which were cut up by many fresh moose tracks. 



Late one afternoon we pulled our canoe up among the bushes 

 bordering this lake, in readiness for watching it during the 



53 



