30 AMERICAN GAME. 
following his trail by the day, by the week, by the 
month, till a fresh snow effaces his tracks, and leaves the 
hunter at the last, as he was at the first of the chase ; 
less only the fatigue, the disappointment and the folly. 
Therefore, by woodsmen, whether white or red skinned, 
he is followed only on those rare occasions when snows of 
unusual depth are crusted over to the very point at 
which they will not quite support this fleet and power- 
ful stag. Then the toil is too great even for his vast 
endurance, and he can be run down by the speed of men, 
inured to the sport, and to the hardships of the wilder- 
ness, but by them only. Indians by hundreds in the 
provinces, and many loggers and hunters in the Eastern 
States, can take and keep his trail in suitable weather— 
the best time is.the latter end of February or the begin- 
ning of March ; the best weather is when a light, fresh 
snow of some three or four inches has fallen on the top 
of deep drifts and a solid crust; the fresh snow giving 
the means of following the trail; the firm crust yielding 
a support to the broad snow-shoes and enabling the 
stalkers to trail with silence and celerity combined. 
Then they crawl onward, breathless and voiceless, up 
wind always, following the foot prints of the wandering, 
pasturing, wantoning deer; judging by signs, unmistak- 
able to the veteran.’ hunter, undistinguishable to the. 
novice, of the distance or proximity of their game, until 
they steal upon the herd: unsuspected, and either finish 
the day with a sure shot and a triumphant whoop; or 
