252 BIG GAME SHOOTING IN ALASKA chap, xm 



numbers would pitch in the river or marshes, but their 

 temporary halt was generally of short duration, and the geese 

 in particular, owing to their habit of posting look - out 

 sentinels, were almost impossible to approach within gun- 

 shot. However, by means of much walking, a certain 

 number of wild-fowl were added to the menu in our abode. 



One evening we were treated to an exhibition of moose- 

 hunting as carried out by the natives when after meat. 

 Pitka came running into our hut saying that there was a 

 bull moose feeding on a large open marsh on the opposite 

 side of the river in front of our house. Looking out with 

 the telescope, we soon distinguished a small bull feeding in 

 the open some way from the timber, and distant about three- 

 quarters of a mile. Other eyes besides ours had marked the 

 quarry, and even had the beast been a big one, none of our 

 party could have stood a chance of getting a shot at him. 

 For instantly the village presented the appearance of a 

 place attacked by an enemy. Apparently every able-bodied 

 man who possessed a rifle had turned out. Rushing in a mob 

 to the river, some fifteen or more men jumped into boats 

 and bidarkis and soon crossed to the other bank. Then, 

 starting in single file, and led by the first man who jumped 

 ashore, they made a wide detour, travelling at a quick run. 

 Soon they reached the shelter of the trees and disappeared 

 from our sight. The light was waning fast, but the luckless 

 moose was still visible with the glasses, and remained feeding 

 in the same spot. As time went on we knew that he was 

 doomed, since his pursuers must now be close on him, and 

 between him and the friendly shelter of the forest. Ere 

 long from the edge of the wood about half-a-dozen jets of 

 flame flashed in the dusk, followed by the reports of the 

 Winchesters. Galloping forward a few yards, the bull 



