HER FIRST MOOSR 



27 



paradise of the sportsman, mile after 

 mile of forest filled with moose, hear, 

 deer, foxes, mink and partridge. 



Many winding" lakes and rapids 

 teeming" with mountain trout, some sel- 

 dom, if ever, having been molested by 

 man, and having" no place on any map. 

 During the next few days in camp we 

 did not look for any particular excite- 

 ment, exploring and studying nature in 

 our easy, comfortable way, taking short 

 trips into the woods and canoeing on 

 the many lakes. One of the most inter- 

 esting was a visit to the beaver dam to 

 see those curious little animals continu- 

 ally at work tearing up the earth and 

 gnawing at the trees to convert them 

 into winter homes. 



Among the treats most enjoyed were 

 our early morning and late afternoon 

 canoeing trips. Gliding down the lakes 

 and winding streams, at the setting of 

 the sun, watching its glowing embers 

 die in the west, beneath the twilight 

 gray, is a picture never to be forgotten. 

 It is one of the grandest experiences 

 imaginable to be silently paddled over 

 the surface of a lake in all the soli- 

 tude of nature, not a noise to be heard, 

 but the whispering voices of the woods. 

 To see a herd of moose, or deer, and 

 hear them splashing in the water as 

 they eat the roots of the lily ; to listen 

 to their cautious approach or retreat. 

 Sometimes we canoed very near. If 

 they scent danger they take to the back 

 woods on a dead trot, one moose bel- 

 lowing twenty-seven times by actual 

 count in his mad run. All such sounds 

 quicken the senses so that every mo- 

 ment fills one with inspiration. 



Next day we decided on a trip far- 

 ther into the woods in quest of larger 

 game. Our objective point was about 

 six miles more remote, to a primitive 

 hut of the hunter situated on the point 

 of a lake. The principal furnishings 

 were a tumbled down stove, table, fry- 

 ing pan, kettle, tin plates, two stools 

 made out of trees, a loft and blankets. 

 This hut being a good distance from 

 Home Camps we had to "pack" our 

 food in. 



Our start was made up the lake by 

 canoe, bul the water soon became so 

 shallow in the streams tributary to tin- 

 lakes that we had to abandon that 

 means of loeomotion and proceed on 

 foot, leaving the canoe turned hot loin 

 side up in the underbrush for our re 

 turn trip. It was with some difficulty 

 we proceeded on our journey, espe- 

 cially in the marshy places, where we 

 were continually trying to avoid sink- 

 holes, caused by the rains. The trail 

 was indistinct, the spots on the trees 

 alongside of the supposed trail were 

 our only compass. These had been 

 made by one of the guides early in the 

 season. For me this made it all the 

 more interesting. 



We tramped quietly on through the 

 dense woods, stopping now and then to 

 rest and listen for sounds. With great 

 delight I took the lead and presently 

 came to the crossing of a large stream. 

 It is always one's first impulse to look 

 up and down the waterways in hopes 

 discover any game that may Le 

 along the water's edge feeding or 

 drink. On the furthest point across 

 the stream stood a medium-sized buck. 

 To demonstrate my skill as a shot I 

 fired at a distance of one hundred 

 yards, saw the deer jump and disap- 

 pear, apparently ..^touched ; was dis- 

 gusted ; we followed along the water's 

 edge, crossed over and found Mr. 

 Buck dead a few yards distant. We 

 helped the guide dress it, and took out 

 a nice haunch of venison for immediate 

 use, leaving the carcass hanging from a 

 tree, to be picked up on our return to 

 the Home Camps. 



It was after mid-day when we 

 reached the hut. We assisted our guide 

 to prepare some creature comforts, and 

 all ate heartily. 



We lounged around camp, kept quiet 

 and a sharp lookout for any big game 

 that might be crossing at the lake side 

 of the cabin door. We heard nothing 

 and retired very early, so to be up at 

 4 a. m. next morning. We arose at 

 this hour, had a light breakfast, and, 

 quietly, took a canoe at the foot of the 



