286 



RECREATION. 



The antlers, though small, were perfect, 

 and had 7 prongs on one side and 6 on the 

 other. The most noteworthy feature was 

 the bell, which was 24 inches long and well 

 haired its entire length. I have been un- 

 able to discover any record of its equal. 



Nine shots had been fired at the moose. 

 On skinning him, we found 8 of them had 

 taken effect. Of the first volley, one bullet 

 hit under the left eye, ranged downward 



and smashed the lower jaw. The other bul- 

 let struck the breast, but too far to one side. 



We marvelled that the bull moved at all, 

 after the first shot. One of the last bullets 

 struck the heart, as near the middle as pos- 

 sible. 



Before we got the animal to the railroad 

 station, I repented having shot him; for 

 we had to pack him on our backs — cut up, 

 of course — over 2 carries, 3 miles in all. 



OUR ALASKAN EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 



HUNTING THE BIG HORN IN THE CHEE-ON-NEES. 



A. J. STONE. 



I will not narrate the details of our jour- 

 ney to the hunting grounds in the Chee- 

 on-nee mountains. 



We reached the high open country at the 

 upper limits of tree growth; and camped 

 among small scrub pines, beside a little 

 stream. We did not carry any tent, nor did 

 we need one, as it was in August and the 

 weather was fine. When night overtook us 

 we gathered spruce boughs, on which we 

 spread our blankets, and camp was pitched. 

 There we camped 2 days in a well protected 

 little cove, and after retiring each evening, 

 lay and watched a beautiful auroral display. 



We took little grub with us. 



The first day in camp we killed a large 

 fat porcupine and we lived principally on 

 this meat. Beside this we had a few 

 crackers and plenty of tea. 



The following morning we were off 

 bright and early, determined to reach the 

 summit of the highest ridges in the vicinity 

 of our camp. Following up a long deep 

 canyon to its head, we found ourselves shut 

 in by almost perpendicular rocky bluffs. 

 After considerable prospecting we came to 

 a steep slide that seemed climbable and 

 gave us renewed hope of reaching the high 

 country we were desirous of hunting. 



After a long hard climb we reached the 

 edge of a small field of snow and ice ex- 

 tending to the summit of the ridge, some 

 300 feet above. It was very steep, and we 

 could see at the top an overhanging rift, 

 that in places looked exceedingly formid- 

 able. I was much fatigued and in poor 

 condition to attempt such a climb, but 

 John, our Indian, said he thought we could 

 make it and I agreed to try. He climbed 

 ahead, cutting foot holds in the hard 

 packed snow and ice, with my big buffalo 

 knife. Ed and I followed, working our 

 way slowly. We did not dare to look back, 

 but leaned forward against the ice wall - 



steadying ourselves by planting the sharp 

 heel of our rifle butts in the crust. 



Every thing went well until we reached 

 a narrow bench 4 feet below the projecting 

 comb, where we were compelled to crouch 

 in an awkward and dangerous position. 



John finally found a place in the crest 

 where it did not project so much as else- 

 where, and managed to climb over. 



Then taking our rifles, he helped us up. 

 The climb had been a severe strain on my 

 nerves, in my then weak condition, and I 

 stretched at full length on a bed of dry 

 shale to rest. I at once fell asleep and slept 

 for half an hour. When I awoke Ed and 

 John were gone, and I followed down the 

 ridge. Soon I saw them; Ed coming to- 

 ward me and motioning me to stop. 



They had discovered several rams feed- 

 ing below, and Ed wished me to remain 

 where I was, while he made a detour; so 

 when he fired, they would come my way. 



I sat for a few moments, then com- 

 menced moving down the hillside. I had 

 not gone far when I heard a whistle, then 

 another; looking to my right several hun- 

 dred yards distant, I saw the Indian, hat in 

 hand, trying to wave me down, from be- 

 hind a ledge of rock. 



Dropping quickly and glancing to the 

 left, I saw a large ram standing on a knoll; 

 but before I could shoot he jumped down 

 the other side and out of sight. 



I quickly reached the point, but could riot 

 see him. It was out of the question for me 

 to follow, and I sat down to think. 



My reverie was soon broken by the ap- 

 pearance of a younger and smaller ram, not 

 more than 200 yards from me. He stood 

 broadside, looking at me. 



I raised my rifle and fired, but he never 

 moved. I fired the 2d, 3d and 4th shots be- 

 fore he ran, and did not touch him. Dur- 

 ing this time I had heard repeated shots 



