THE WILD LIFE OF LAKE SUPERIOR 



173 



Photograph by George Shiras, 3d 



FINISHING UP THE BRUSSELS SPROUTS 



This deer took its picture at midnight before the cottage of the caretaker, whose sleep 

 was doubtless momentarily disturbed by the explosion. But, as such raids were a continual 

 strain on the temper of the gardener, he always welcomed the sound of the flashlight (see 

 page 191). 



This unexpected result was discouraging, 

 so several trials were made the following 

 night; but again the pictures were nearly 

 worthless, for the same reason as the first, 

 showing that the powder was too slow 

 for an active creature like a deer when 

 facing a slowly exploding illuminant. 



Later experiences proved, however, that 

 even with this crude apparatus a good 

 picture might have been taken occasion- 

 ally had the flashlight been discharged 

 when the deer had its head down or was 

 turned away from the water. 



During the ensuing winter I learned of 

 a flashlight apparatus designed for taking 

 pictures in theaters, ball-rooms, or other 

 large interiors, consisting of a metal 

 standard supporting three circular alcohol 

 lamps, into the flames of which could be 

 projected a spray of magnesium powder 

 by means of a rubber bulb connected by 

 tubing with a receptacle containing enough 

 powder for half a dozen flashes. 



This apparatus, with its great power 

 of illumination and ease of manipulation, 

 seemed suitable for solving the problem. 



UNEXPECTED PYROTECHNICS 



On the first dark of the moon the fol- 

 lowing July I left camp in a canoe with 

 the new outfit in the bow and the ever- 

 faithful Jake astern, going downstream 

 from camp to avoid the winds of the 

 open lake. 



A reflector had been placed behind the 

 three lamps with the idea of covering the 

 jack and utilizing the other light when 

 finally approaching a deer. 



In one place it was necessary to lift 

 the canoe over half -submerged rocks; 

 but, as we both wore gum boots, this was 

 easily done. Shortly afterward it was 

 realized that this little portage had prob- 

 ably saved the flashlight hunter from 

 severe injuries. 



On rounding the next bend a pair of 



