THE MOOSE. 50 



If the panic has been so complete as to prevent either 

 "calling" or stalking with any chance of success, the 

 Indians resort to " driving," and while the sportsman lies 

 concealed in a likely "run," they make a considerable 

 detour in order to get round the covert, and advancing 

 through it, drive the animals towards the rifle. 



When moving rapidly in this way the Moose carry 

 their heads thrown back, their noses high in the air, 

 and the hind legs wide apart, in order to avoid striking 

 the heels of the fore feet, and, as may be imagined, have 

 a most singular appearance as they shuffle swiftly away 

 through the forest, twisting their huge horns in all 

 directions to escape contact with the trees. Though 

 their usual pace is a slouching trot, they can, when 

 necessary, gallop ; but, except when very hard pressed 

 and on firm ground, seldom exert themselves to that 

 extent; their ordinary pace, easy as it appears, being 

 sufficient in most cases to distance their pursuers. 



It not unfrequently happens that a small herd is ascer- 

 tained to be feeding in some open glade at the edge of the 

 forest, when of course it is simply necessary to advance 

 cautiously up-wind under cover of the trees, and select 

 at leisure the best or nearest, as the case may be. 

 But they will never be found in such a position in thick 

 or stormj^ weather; for though they are said by the 

 Indians to hear the snap of a bough, even in the highest 



