THE CANADA GROUSE. 105 
an unearthly hour the next morning, and by dint of 
shaking, howling, and asking me if I were dead, man- 
aged to rouse me, and finally succeeded in getting 
me into a large wagon, having room enough to hold six 
persons, besides tents, dogs, guns, and ammunition. Our 
kennel consisted of a single terrier, but what use he 
could be was beyond my ken, as I understood we were to 
slaughter everything in the form of game that we should 
meet in our rambles. Not being in a mood to be inquisi- 
tive, however, I made no inquiries, and devoted most of 
my attention to watching the reddish-yellow dog and to 
nodding at him occasionally with closed eyes. This 
habit of mine became so chronic after awhile that the 
companion who sat beside me said I was the politest man 
he ever knew, as I had bowed most humbly to every man, 
bird, beast, and tree we had met on the road. When the 
sun became hot, however, I was roused into an active 
condition, and after breakfasting at a wayside hotel, I 
felt as lively as a cricket. 
Leaving the inn, we travelled until two P. M., and 
then halted in the outskirts of a ramshackle hamlet to 
make inquiries about the best shooting quarters in the 
vicinity, and the probability of securing an Indian guide 
who knew the country well, and could make himself 
useful as a general utility man in camp. Having left one 
of our party in charge of the team, we started for the 
village, and on learning that it boasted a hotel, we 
marched towards it, and plied the landlord with all sorts 
of questions bearing on our mission. He answered them 
readily, and gave us to understand that if we would wait 
until evening he would procure us the best guide in the 
country at a dollar a day and his ‘‘ grub.” 
Having decided to postpone our journey on condition 
that he had his man ready by seven o’clock, the team was 
driven into town, and after the horses were put in a 
stable, we cast about for something to do to kill time. 
