308 BIG GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



a score of times against doing until the Musk-oxen are in 

 sight. It is wonderful how far and how easily one can run 

 in this way, and if the leg-muscles are in good condition it 

 takes but a few minutes to place a number of miles to one's 

 credit. 



"When the advanced hunters sight the game, they wait 

 only until they see it start in flight, when, with a dexterous 

 twist, the slip-knot is thrown, and the dogs are let loose 

 to bring the cattle to bay as soon as possible. These hunt- 

 ing-dogs will not bark until they are thus loosened (it is 

 this distinction solely that makes a good or bad Musk-ox 

 hunter, and whether he shall go on the trail or be left with 

 the sledge), and then they send forth the loudest hayings 

 that ever came from dogs' throats, especially when tlie 

 Musk-oxen have formed a circle of defense, and the dogs 

 have formed another circle around them. 



" It is a singular sensation when one slips his dogs from 

 their hold around his waist. From feeling as if he had 

 wings and were flying along the ground without eft'ort, it 

 now seems as if his gun had suddenly changed to a fifteen- 

 inch columbiad, and his feet feel as if encased in leaden 

 boots. Although he may be within a hundred yards of 

 the bayed beasts, and may have run a mile to get there, 

 that mile will have been easier than the short distance he 

 has ahead of him. Yet, if he waits to slip the dogs until he 

 is where he wants to stoj), the knot may suddenly become 

 unaccommodating, and if the dogs dragged him right up 

 to the interior line of battle, his huge form Avould be sure 

 to invite a charge from the nearest bull, that might end 

 disastrously. 



" In another way the more j)Ugnacious dogs are liable to 

 be treated to a genuine surprise from some equally pugna- 

 cious Musk-bull that, charging him, gets the dog's long, 

 flowing harness-trace under his feet and manages to keep 

 it there for three or four steps, or until he is so close 

 that the dog can not escape, when he is given an aerial 

 ascent that may be reiDeated several times if he be not 

 lucky in getting his feet under him when he alights, or 



