THE CARIBOU MIGRATION 31 



So quiet was the morning that the curious cUcking 

 of their feet sounded unusually clearly. Here was 

 the chance for which I had been waiting six long 

 years. The combination that I knew was bound to 

 come some time ; good light, and a large enough 

 herd of absolutely unsuspicious Caribou. It was 

 really worth waiting for, and my heart beat so hard 

 with excitement that it seemed as though the 

 approaching animals must hear it. With almost 

 feverish haste each part of the camera was carefuUy 

 examined to see that the shutter was set correctly, 

 the proper diaphragm in place, the shde drawn, and 

 so forth, AU of this occupied but a second or two. 

 However, the animals were almost in range by the 

 time I had made sure that everything was in readi- 

 ness. If only a stag had been leading I But that 

 seldom happens. In fact, only three times have I 

 seen it ! First came a doe and her fawn, then three 

 young stags and another doe followed by a fair 

 stag, but the largest one was, of course, the last of the 

 line ; that is the rule and that is why it is so difficult 

 to photograph them. On they came, and I watched 

 them closely as they grew larger and larger on the 

 ground glass of the camera, but at the moment 

 when they almost covered the entire plate, I 

 pressed the shutter release, the picture was made and 

 the herd had gone before another plate could be put 

 into position. Now once more I settle down to 

 watch and think with pleasure of the good luck 

 that has come my way. It has been a satisfactory 

 day's work, even if I get nothing more, but 

 apparently there is more to come, for at this 

 moment I hear splashes. What is to be? There 



