THE LYNX. 437 



old leader soon recovered it, and the wild refrain again 

 went forth. Doubling back, they returned to the lake, 

 passed along the shore for some three hundred yards, and 

 then went into the thick timber again. Then they went 

 direct to and across the Canadian boundary-line, and were 

 on British soil. Lake Leman was soon reached and left 

 behind, the timber growing thicker and denser, the under- 

 growth more difficult to penetrate, till even the dogs could 

 scarce get through. A halt was called, and refreshments 

 partaken of. A short rest, and again the party started 

 forth, with renewed vigor. • 



After doubling and running, walking and tumbling — 

 after a great deal of profanity had been indulged in— the 

 hunters began to fear they would not be able to overtake 

 the Lynx before sundown. But at last the dogs stopped 

 beneath a tree, howling, yelling, and roaring. The hunters 

 knew then that the end was not far off — that the Lynx was 

 treed; and hastening into the thick undergrowth where the 

 dogs were, they began to scan the limbs of the tree. There, 

 sure enough, was a big brindled fellow, tired, spiritless, and 

 half -dead from his long run. He crouched against a limb, 

 evidently hoping to escape being seen by the hunters. But 

 no, nothing can escape their keen, experienced eyes, and 

 the loads from six or seven guns are simultaneously emptied 

 into him. He comes down with a thump among the dogs, 

 stone-dead, riddled with all kinds of leaden missiles, from 

 BB shot to forty -five-caliber bullets. The dogs lit into him 

 and shook him till he was a shapeless mass, and then all 

 returned home in great glee. 



The Lynx is easily trapped; a rabbit placed in a snare or 

 ordinary trap, or attached to the trigger of a spring-gun, will 

 often result in the death of one of their number. Finding 

 the track of a Lynx in the snow, while shooting ducks on a 

 creek, and being desirous of capturing him, I hurried home, 

 returning with a strong Fox-trap, having powerful springs 

 and sharp, heavy teeth. I set it in the trail, at a place that 

 was much tracked up and tramped upon. There were also 



