

92 FOREST LIFE IN ACADIE. 



before Joe's castle. It was a substantial frame-house, 

 evidently built by some settler who had a notion of 

 making his fortune by the aid of a small stream which 

 flowed into the lake close by, and over which stood a 

 saw-mill. An old barn was attached, and from its rafters 

 hung moose-hides of all sizes, ages, and in all stages of 

 decomposition ; horns, legs, and hoofs ; porcupines de- 

 prived of their (piills, which are used for ornamental 

 work by the women ; and, in fact, a very similar collec- 

 tion, only on a grander scale, to that which is often dis- 

 played on the outside of a gamekeeper's barn in England. 



A rush of lean, hungry-looking curs was made through 

 tlie door as Joe opened it to welcome me. " Walk in, 

 C'apten — ah, you brute of dog, Koogimooh! Mrs. Cope 

 from home, visiting his friends at Windsor. Perhaps you 

 take some dimier along with me and Jem before we start 

 up lake ? " 



" All right, Joe ; I'll smoke a pipe till you and Jem 

 are ready," I replied, not much relishing the appearance 

 of the parboiled moose-meat which Jem was fishing out 

 of a pot. " No chance of calling to-night, I'm afraid, 

 Joe ; we shall have a wet night." 



*' I never see such weather for time of year, Captcn ; 

 everything in woods so wet — can't hardly make fire ;. l)ut 

 grand time for creeping — oh, grand ! Everything, you 

 see, so soft, don't make no noise. AVhat sort of moccasin 

 you got 1 " 



" A good pair of the moosc-slianks you sold me, last 

 winter, Joe ; they are the best sort for keeping out the 

 wet, and they arc so thick and warm." 



The moose-shank moccasin is cut from the hind leo; of 

 the moose, above and below the hock ; it is in shape like 



