146 



THE EAGLES BOLDNESS. 



(moose and cariboo in native phraseology) were not 

 unfrequently seen. Years before, these two noble 

 species had been very abundant here — so much so, 

 indeed, that the lumbermen almost lived upon their 

 flesh. So indiscriminate and unceasing then became 

 their slaughter that they had become all but exter- 

 minated, and certainly would have been had not 

 the pine trees given out. Since then both elk and 

 reindeer have been increasing, and there is every 

 prospect that the stock will soon rival in numbers 

 what it did in former years. 



A Micmac Indian was my guide, counsellor, and 

 friend. Both of us knelt with our faces looking to 

 the stem of the " birch-bark." Very few were the 

 words spoken by either, for the surroundings were 

 lovely, and more disposed us to admiration than talk. 

 Some distance in front sat a white-headed eagle on a 

 rampike (dead pine tree) that projected over some 

 very turbulent rapids, through whose tumultuous 

 surface protruded many a flat and jagged rock. 



A touch from the paddler with the blade of his 

 implement caused me to look round, when a motion 

 of the native's hand induced me to resume my original 

 position, and carefully scrutinize my front for a view 

 of something unusual. With the usual perversencss of 

 white men's sight, I could see nothing, although the 

 Indian continued to direct me. I was provoked, and 

 so was he, but this did not mend matters. I almost 

 believe that the Micmac thought that I would not 

 see, and out of sheer " cussedness " was cutting up 

 at his expense. But the wily savage took another and 

 certain method of enlightening me. With several deep, 

 strong strokes he landed me under a birch tree, whose 

 drooping branches almost swept the watery surface 

 and shut us out of sight from anything that might be 

 alarmed at our presence. Then he took the bird gun, 

 and glancing along its barrel, directed it on the object 

 he wished me to view. I now looked over his shoulder 



