THE FORESTS AND SPORT OF SIBERIA. 161 



all kinds of game; the main objects of their quest, however, are mar- 

 tens and squirrels. According to the time of colour-change in the 

 latter the huntsmen arrange their departure from the village home, 

 for the change of colour in the squirrels is regarded as an indication 

 of the approaching winter, whether it is to be early or late, severe 

 or mild. 



Armed and equipped as we have already described, the sable- 

 hunters set out, after the first snowfall, in companies of three to five. 

 Besides gun and ammunition each of them carries a sack on his 

 back, snow-shoes and a hatchet on his shoulders, and a whip in his 

 girdle. The sack contains the indispensable provisions: — bread, 

 meal, bacon, and " brick- tea ",^^ also a few utensils, such as a pan, 

 tea-kettle, drinking- vessel, spoons, and the like, and less frequently 

 a flask of spirits. The whip is used to drive out the squirrels and 

 to bring them into sight. Four to six dogs, which offend the eye of 

 every German sportsman, join the company. 



Guided by the sun, which, however, is often hidden for days, and 

 by the known stars, the weather-beaten huntsmen traverse the in- 

 hospitable wilds, camping out at night, feeding themselves and their 

 dogs on the flesh of the game they shoot, and sparing their small 

 store of provisions as carefully as possible. The ungainly but clever 

 and wide-awake dogs not only scent the tracks of game, but, spying 

 unfailingly the martens or squirrels hidden on the trees, bark at 

 them and keep them in sight till the huntsman is on the spot. He 

 approaches with the imperturbable quietness of all forest sports- 

 men, rests his long musket carefully on a branch, or, if need be, on 

 the fork fastened to the barrel, takes a slow aim, and fires. At the 

 outset of the hunt, the squirrels and even the pine-martens are so 

 much disturbed by the dogs that they allow the sportsman to 

 approach to within a few yards; soon, however, they become wiser, 

 and a sure and steady aim becomes difficult. If the huntsman gets 

 this, and succeeds in sending a ball through the animal's eye, then 

 he is well-pleased, for not only has he secured an undamaged skin, 

 but he can recover his precious leaden shot. As soon as he has got 

 possession of his fallen booty he skins it, in the case of martens 

 and squirrels forcing the viscera through the mouth opening. The 



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