MOOSE DEER. 
189 
make up a floor and covering for them in their temporary shelter. The 
hunters having made all snug, cook their meat and eat it before a fire that 
illuminates the woods around, and causes the party to appear like a set 
of goblins through the darkness of night. On many such occasions the 
bedding is .singed, and per chance a whisker ! The feet may be partially 
roasted, whilst the shoulders, the hands, and probably the nose, are suffer- 
ing greatly from the severity of the weather, for the thermometer may be 
occasionally thirty degrees below zero ! The march to this spot is fre- 
quently made on snow-shoes, which are taken off, however, whilst the 
party are forming the encampment, clearing away the snow, and 
making a path to the water, which being covered with snoAV and ice, re- 
quires to be got at by means of shovels and axes. Before daylight, the 
kettles are put on the fires, tea and coffee are made, breakfast swallowed 
in a few moments, and the party on foot, ready to march toward the hunt- 
ing-ground. On the way, every one anxiously looks out for tracks of the 
game, and whether hares or grouse come in the way they are .shot and 
hung up on the trees ; but if game of any kind has been thus hung up by 
others, whether Indians or white hunters, the party leaves it sacredly un- 
touched — for this is the etiquette of the chase throughout this portion of 
country. When they at last reach the ground, the party divide, and 
seek for the Moose in different directions. It is agreed that no one shall 
shoot after separating from the rest, unless it be at the proper game, and 
also that in case of meeting with Moose, or with fresh signs, they are to 
return, and make ready to proceed to the spot together next day. Some- 
times, however, this rule is broken through by some one whose anxiety 
(excitement) at sight of a Moose makes him forget himself and his pro- 
mise. As soon as a ‘yard’ has been discovered, all hands sally forth, and 
the hunt is looked upon as fairly begun. If on approaching the ‘ yard,’ 
their dogs, which are generally mongrels of all descriptions, start a Moose, 
the hunters, guided by their barking and the tracks of the pack and the 
Moose through the snow, follow with all possible celerity. The dogs 
frequently take hold of the Moose by the hind legs, the animal turns, and 
stands at bay, and the hunters thus have an opportunity to come up 
with the chase. 
“ On approaching, when at the proper distance (about sixty to eighty 
yards) the nearest man takes a decided aim, as nearly as possible under 
the forearm and through the neck, and fires, or, if fronting the beast, in 
the centre of the breast. 
“If wounded only, the second hunter fires also, and perhaps the third, 
and the animal succumbs at last, though it sometimes manages to 
run. stumble, and scramble, for miles. After skinning the Moose, 
