108 Field and Forest Rambles. 



single-file, the two wardens leading, an accident of this nature 

 occurred to the blacksmith, whose gun went off at the same 

 time, lodging its contents close at his companion's heel ! 



The number of pursuers was now reduced to Brown and 

 the other moose warden, whilst the son of Vulcan and 

 myself were left breathless in the rear. However, not to be 

 altogether outstripped, we redoubled our efforts once more, 

 and after a series of "trips" arrived at the brink of a stream, 

 when my bailiff companion, without a moment's hesitation, 

 leaped on the snow-covered ice, and as quickly disappeared 

 up to the armpits — gun and all. Thus reduced to his axe, he 

 struggled on, whilst I cautiously made my way to the opposite 

 side, and in a trice was standing by a thicket of pine trees, where 

 lay the poor moose breathless and exhausted, with the dogs 

 crowding around so closely that the warden was afraid to fire. 

 However the victim was finally despatched, and the reek- 

 ing body of a full-grown calf extracted from its carcase, which 

 on being quartered was hidden in the snow, to be conveyed 

 to the settlements as opportunity occurred. So ended this 

 inglorious day's sport, the first and last of my moose hunting 

 adventures in the spring season. It may be confidently 

 stated, however, as far as this region is concerned, that nine 

 out of twelve elks are killed in the above way. 



The instance just narrated is however rather an exception 

 to the rule, in so far that the sport lasted for upwards of an 

 hour and a half; whereas in general, from the deepness of 

 the snow and thickness of the crust, it is seldom that the 

 animal can progress any distance before the bullet or axe 

 are brought to bear on it. 



Of course my companions were overjoyed at their success ; 

 moreover, not content with the final issue, the hardier of the 

 two backwoodsmen struck off on a fresh trail, having only a 

 crust of bread and a piece of cheese in his pocket. Sleeping 

 out that night, he only returned to the lumber camp on the fol- 

 lowing evening, when he brought tidings of having slain another 



