136 



FOREST LIFE IN ACADTE. 



into play, and tlie sport becomes assimilated to that of 

 deer-stalking. 



It is almost hopeless to attempt an explanation of the 

 Indian's art of huntiiio; in the woods — stalkiiijx an 

 invisiljle (piarry ever on the wateh and constantly on the 

 move, through an ever- varying succession of swamjts, 

 burnt country, or thick forest. A review of all tlu; 

 shifts and expedients practised in creeping, from the first 

 finding of recent tracks to the exciting moment when the 

 Indian whispers " Quite fresh; put on cap," would be im- 

 pra('tical)le. I confess that like many other young hunters 

 or lik(i the conceited blundering settlers, who are for 

 ever cruising through the woods, and doing little else 

 (save by a chance shot) than scaring the countiy, I once 

 fondly hopeil to be able to mast(>r the art, and to hunt on 

 my own ficcount. Fifteen years' experience has unde- 

 ceived me, and compels me to acknowledge the superiority 

 of the red man in all mattei's relating to the art of 

 " venerie " in the American woodlands. 



When brought up to the game in the forest, thei-e is 

 also some difficulty in realising the presence of the 

 caril)oo. At all times of the year its colour is so similar 

 to the pervading hues of the woods, that the animal, 

 when in repose, is exceedingly difficult of detection : in 

 winter, especially, when standing amongst the snow- 

 da})pled stems of mixed spruce and birch woods, they are 

 so hard to see, and their light gray hue renders the judg- 

 ing of distance and aim so uncertain, that many escape 

 the hunter's bullet at distances, and under circumstances, 

 which should otherwise admit of no excuse for a miss. 



And now let us proceed to our hunting gr<jund. 



The first light snow had just fallen after two or three 



