THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
He placed a small gin in position and next morning had a lovely mink 
in the trap and the following morning yet another. To see the difference 
between a polished and a wet log of wood at 200 yards is reserved for the 
eyes of the Indian. 
Poor Angus! he burst a bloodvessel out with me one day and I had an 
awful night with him in the woods, as I thought he would die every minute; 
but at four in the morning I got him to camp and the canoe and paddled 
him down to Smith Lake and so to the river and Mattawa, where he died 
a fortnight later. 
Later I went hunting moose with a drunken ruffian who knew little 
more of moose -tracking than I did, and yet we killed two good bulls the 
third day out. Such is luck or whatever the reader may choose to call it. 
In tracking moose over hard ground the best hunters fail nine times 
out of ten. There are so many contingencies that may all militate against 
the hunter. Once started it is seldom possible to overtake travelling moose. 
They walk or trot one behind the other, stepping into the same tracks 
with such accuracy that it seems only one animal has passed. They step 
over three -foot logs with ease. Their usual pace is a long trot and they never 
gallop except for a few yards on first being frightened, and run through 
the thickest timber without making a sound. Often you think the bull 
must be in a certain patch of timber when in reality he is miles away, for 
he has circled unseen to your flank or rear, got the wind and silently 
vanished. When suddenly surprised face to face the moose bounds 
away and smashes everything in its road to get out of sight, then deeming 
concealment futile. In the open it gives one sharp glance, wheels round, 
and trots away with head held high in the air. It runs to the last point 
where a view of its enemy is possible, wheels round and with another 
swift glance, disappears with a certain pride of aspect. A volume would be 
required to discuss all the phases of moose -hunting, and there is no sport 
in which the hunter must exercise more skill and care both in camp and 
out of it to be successful. It is a good thing to have an eye for country and 
to note the places that are most likely to hold moose, and work up to them 
carefully against the wind. In the North-West it is a good plan, as I have 
found in caribou hunting, to frequently climb a tree and survey the country 
in all directions. Often a moose may be lying or feeding close at hand. 
When following a moose track never be discouraged if the animal suddenly 
starts to run. It has not necessarily got your wind but may only be making 
a little rush before lying down. This is a common habit of the animal. 
252 
