124 The Grouse Family 



short range. He will, of course, only aim at the 

 head or neck, for any duffer might hit the big 

 body and spoil meat. 



Apropos of the rifle, two peculiar shots are 

 worth mentioning. A party of us were in the 

 Mattawa moose country. The particular day was 

 Sunday, and the camp rule was the only right 

 one. We were lounging about on the moss, and 

 I happened to be oiling a Winchester 45-90. 

 Suddenly the guide pointed to a big hemlock 

 about fifty yards away and remarked : " See the 

 sunlight on that fur — it's a marten." Amid the 

 blackness of the centre of the hemlock was a sin- 

 gle splash of light, and it glowed upon what 

 appeared to be red fur. 



" And the Sabbath law is ? " I asked the 

 judge. 



" To plug all martens every day — to shoot 

 from where you sit, and to allow the court to 

 shoot one deer in the water if you miss. So 

 mote it be ! " was his Honor's decision. 



At the report the marten shook loose about a 

 peck of feathers, and went roaring away to a 

 near-by ravine, shedding more feathers every yard. 

 Before it reached cover the wings were set, and 

 it slanted down at an amazing pace. 



The guide chased after, while we stared at each 

 other, and the court muttered an astonished 

 "Well — I'll — be — d !" Soon the guide 



