THE HOME OF THE CAEIBOU 



days, we would have to return, or else proceed with the 

 prospect of starvation before us. 



We had only begun to think seriously on this question when 

 on the evening above-mentioned, just as we had gone ashore 

 to camp, a moving object was noticed on a little island out 

 in the lake. By means of our field-glasses it was made out 

 to be a caribou, and I need hardly say that no time was lost 

 in manning a canoe and pulling for the island. As we 

 approached, the caribou watched us closely, and, soon satisfied 

 of danger, bounded into the air, galloped to the farther side 

 of the island, plunged into the water, and struck out for the 

 nearest shore. The rate at which the frightened animal tore 

 its way through the water was really marvellous, and for a 

 time it looked as if we would not be able to overtake it with 

 our light canoe and four paddles. Every muscle was strained, 

 both of deer and men, so that the hunt resolved itself into 

 a veritable race for life. Unfortunately for the poor animal, 

 the course was too long, and before it could reach the shore 

 we had overhauled and shot it. That night we enjoyed our 

 :first meal of venison. 



The next day, after descending the river a distance of 

 five or six miles, and getting into a body of water named 

 Carey Lake, through which we were steering a central course, 

 one of the party called attention to something moving on the 

 distant shore to our right. It turned out to be not one but 

 a band of caribou. Our canoes were headed to leeward of 

 the band, that they might not scent us as we approached the 

 shore. Drawing nearer, we found there was not only one 

 band, but that there were many great bands, literally covering 

 the country over wide areas. The valleys and hillsides for 

 miles appeared to be moving masses of caribou. To estimate 

 their numbers would be impossible. They could only be 

 reckoned in acres or square miles. 



After a short consultation, a place for landing, near a 

 small grove of tamarack — one of the last we saw — was chosen. 



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