60 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



upon you from the walls, you proudly tell your boys the 

 story. As a skillful woodsman, an expert hunter, they will 

 always have cause to revere you. 



If you are hunting in company with others, and are not 

 too far from camp, go to where the cow lies. Cut around 

 her hock, split the skin up to the center of the body, above 

 and then below. Don't be afraid of spoiling the skin, for, 

 except as a memento, the skin of the Elk is worthless. Then, 

 from the round, cut a plentiful supply of rich, juicy meat 

 for all hands at camp. Then start off on your homeward 

 way. 



But stop. Consider a moment. Hadn't the intestines 

 better be removed? Yes; a good idea. If you are a practi- 

 cal hunter, this won't take you long; but if you are a novice, 

 it will bother you considerably. When done, no matter 

 how roughly, you will feel better satisfied. Now, can any- 

 thing else be done? Yes; set the big cedar on fire, if the 

 woods are damp, so that there is no danger of the fire spread- 

 ing. It will serve as a beacon to guide you back to your 

 game, and will also serve to frighten prowling Wolves and 

 Panthers away. To think is to act. The great cedar is 

 hollow. A few dry branches ]3iled in the cavity, the flash of 

 a match, a cloud of smoke curls up, and the fire roars like a 

 furnace. Now you may start for camp. 



Arriving there, you approach with all the dignity that 

 becomes a victorious warrior. When your companions see 

 your load, they will cluster around you, and beg of you the 

 tale to unfold. Bat this is no time for unfolding; so you 

 calmly state that yon are ahungered, and likely to die of 

 starvation, and that a thrilling tale will be lost to the world 

 if you are not soon fed. Then your companions will bring 

 forth the standard food and the thickest drink that the 

 camp affords, and you will dine like a prince. 



After dinner, you will take a seat near the fire, on some- 

 thing soft, with your head pillowed on a convenient tree. 

 Then willing hands will fill your pipe, light it, bring it to you, 

 and you find that you, who were this morning abused and 

 chafed as a tenderfoot and a sorry hunter, are the honored 



