= NATURE'S REALM. 33 
struck for the barren in a snow storm, and in 
crossing it to obtain the balance of caribou 
meat they came within easy range of what they 
supposed was the former herd, but for reasons 
already given would not touch them. Seven 
marten, three lynx and a traveling mink only 
was disappointing and showed that the marten 
had left the ground, which they often do, their 
return being very uncertain, as they have no 
stated circles of feeding grounds, rambling 
apparently without purpose, feeding on the 
moose, rabbit, squirrel or anything they can 
kill, and when all other food fails they eat the 
rowan tree berries which remain on the trees 
during-the winter. 
After a day in camp Joe's line was gone over. 
There was Mr. Fisher with both front feet 
gone just above the paws! Joe knew he would 
follow him, so on his last trip he set a steel trap 
on the snow-shoe track without any spring 
pole, simply fastening the ring on the chain to 
a bush and immediately above the trap sus- 
pended a good sized bait with a strong fasten- 
ing just within reach of a good jump. Of 
course the trap was carefully covered. Mr. 
Fisher made the leap, but, unfortunately for 
him, his hind feet sprung the No. 4 Wodehouse 
trap and he was there all right. This trip 
added thirteen marten and the fisher to their 
store. For the next three weeks those lines of 
traps were gone over and baited, and by the 
middle of December the snow had reaehed a 
depth of two and a-half feet, and there seemed 
to be nothing in the woods now excepting the 
caribou herds on the north side of the stream. 
Their last three weeks’ hunt only brought them 
thirty marten and four lynx, and as there was 
now sufficient ice on the river to travel, it was 
determined to move ten or more miles down 
the river. Loading the toboggans with the 
furs, provisions for ten days and the caribou 
head, and fixing up the camp until their return 
to.it in March, a start was made, and for the 
most part of the way they found firmice. Upon 
arrival at the point desired camp was made for 
a week's stay, their object being, if possible, 
to kill a half dozen caribou before the season 
closed and cache the meat alongside the river 
as bear bait for the ensuing April and May, this 
being the bear country far excellence, there 
being burned hills on either side for long dis- 
tances on which the blue berries grow. 
The first day out the boys could not get near 
the animals, as the caribou can walk fully as 
fast as a Man can snow-shoe, unless in a crust 
which will not carry him. Running or chasing 
was not tried, as Fred said: ‘‘ There are plenty 
here ; the right day will come.” The next day 
they tried the opposite side of the stream and 
Fred got in on a large one on the run, but at a 
long distance, with no result, as no signs of 
blood were left behind him. This night it 
snowed and next morning a gale from the 
northwest was raging. ‘‘ Now,” says Fred, 
“we'll have them.” After crossing a half mile 
of the burnt woods new tracks were struck and 
in ten minutes three caribou were in sight—an 
easy shot, in fact a large buck within twenty 
yards, although scarcely visible through the 
whirling snow. Such a day seems to destroy 
the scent, which is caused no doubt by the 
atmosphere being clogged with fine particles 
of snow. The buck stood broadside on. ‘‘ Take 
him, Joe, behind the shoulder,” says Fred, at 
the same time aiming fair between the eyes of the 
next nearest. Both fell, but the buck recov- 
ered himself and Joe gave him another ball, 
but it was unnecessary. The third caribou, 
instead of fleeing, actually made a few steps 
toward her mate as if to see why she had fallen, 
when Fred again brained her, she hardly 
moved after falling. It was at once decided to 
rip the skins off while they were warm, leaving 
the carcasses to be hauled out, and as such 
another day for their purpose might not soon 
occur, to kill three. more if possible, deeming 
that sufficient. 
As the opposite side of the river seemed to 
show the best signs, they went out to camp and 
after lunch went up a small ravine. In about 
half a mile fresh tracks were struck in its bed. 
‘Those can't be far,” says Joe, scanning the 
sides of the hills, and about seventy yards up 
Joe’s eyes caught a body of one among the 
trees. At the same instant Fred, who was 
searching the opposite side, got his sight on 
three close together—an easy shot. Both fired 
at once. Fred’s animal fell, and, throwing in a 
new shell, shot another, which also fell but 
agaip rose, and, instead of running from them, 
