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32X

lAND OF

ANr

JVibcuturcs i

Author of "■ i

T. NELSON ^

EDI

STALKED BY INDIANS.

Cd^vt

IN THE

(\ .

lAND OF THE MOOSE, THE I5EAR,
AND THE BEAVER.

Jlliljcuturcs in the J|ovcsjts ot the JVthubasca.

Bj'

ACHILLES DAUX7\

Author of " Frank Rcikliffi-," " The Three TniJ'/>crs,"

ill

]ViTH Jllustrations.

;i !

T. NELSON AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW.

EDINBURGH ; AND NEW YORK.

1885.

NOUTH-WEST TERRI'
[HUDSON BAY COMl'
•IIIVERS — ICE- Kill
TltlBES — CANNIBALI
^V((ODS— MACKENZIE

<tUY NEAR rORTAQE
—OLD JAKE'S STORY
—DAWN — THINGS B

KIllST OUN

UNKY RESUMED — TIi:
KUOM INDIANS— DEA
THE YOUNG LADY—.

FROiD— OLD Jake's

l«CE\E — A BEAR— I'll
—WOLVES AND CAUl

KORKS OF THE AT:
DIHKH— RAGGED FOl
—IMPENETRABLE C
WOUNDED MOOSE— 1
BY OLD JAKE

Contents.

CHATTER I.

NOIITII-WEST TERRITORY-^OAME— KANOE OF THE BUFFALO — WOOD BISON—
JIUDSON BAY COMl'ANY— lUVAL COMrANY — FEUDS— POPULATION— PRAIRIES
U-RIVERS — ICE-FLOES— "the BARREN GROUNDS "— MUSK OXEN — NATIVE
I TRIBES — CANNIBALISM — TRADITION OF THE DELUGE — BOfNDARY OF THK

WOODS— MACKENZIE RIVER DISTRICT 11-20

CHAPTER II.

»ERV SEAR PORTAGE LA LOCIIE— THE CAMP— HUNTERS — THREE OLD FRIENDS
-OLD JAKe's story— STORM ON THE CLEARWATER— UNCOMFORTABLE NIOHT

— liAWN — THINGS BRIGHTEN — JAKE's OPINION OF THE SETTLEMENTS— HIS
KMWT GUN 21-32

CHAPTER III.

ItXEY RESUMED — THE FOREST— DUCKS— EAGLES— OSPREYS — NARROW ESCAPE
FROM INDIANS— DEATH OF THE SAVAGES— MR. AND MISS FRAZER— .TAKE AND
THE YOUNG LADY— A HALT — PIERRE "a GONE COON "—MISS FRAZEU's SANG
FROID— OLD Jake's INNUENDOS — PIEIVUE leaves the canoe — A FOREST

f^cESE— A BEAR— Pierre's contest with the beau— night in the forest

—wolves and cariboo— PIERRE REJOINS HIS COMRADES 33-51

CHAPTER IV.

FORKS OF THE ATHABASCA — SWANS — BEARS — WILDFOWL— VARIETIES OF
DUCKS— RAGGED FOREST ON THE CLEARWATER— FOREST ON THE ATHABASCA

— IMPENETRABLE COVER — MOOSE — PIERRE's STALK — PURSUIT OF THE
WOUNDED MOOSE— TABLES TURNED — " TREED "—TREE OVERTURNED— SAVED
BY OLD JAKE b2-<j(i

VI CONTENTS.

CEIAPTER V.
OLD Jake's adventure — an Indian's death — the cave — old jakkkh-

THE 110CK8 — STORE OK FURS— JAKE's HUi'ERSTITION — SET OUT K(l|; v
CAVE— THE COnrSE- VULTURES— EXAMINING TUK FURS— 8T0RM— THK(ttt|
FLOODED— NIOIIT IN THE CAVE— INDIANS VCWUS 8ETTLEKH

CIIAl'TLU VI.

THE HUNTERS LEAVE THE CAVE— DISAPPEARANCE OF THE CANOE— THE DOM
THE INDIAN— CANOE FOUND— DECIDE ON A ROUTE— DOWN THE ATllALi
—WOOD BUFFALO — TIIKOUOH THE FOREST— HTALKIVQ THE BUFFADi-
ATTACK — OLD JARE's ADVENTURE WITH THE BULL — " TREED " — Mt!
AND UAULTIER COME TO HIS AID— JAKE'S ACCOUNT OF THE ADVENTUUE.,!;

CHAPTER VII.

A SLIOHr REFECTION— AMOUNT OF FOOD REQUISITE IN THE NOnTH-WE.SI-r. |j
PARTY START TO BRING IN THE MEAT— THE CARCAJOU — JAKE ENKAOH
THE WOLVERINE— JAKE's RUSE To TRAP THE WOLVERINE— MAKlN(i A u
FIRE— CUNNING OF THE WOLVERINE— A TRAP SET— VISIT TO THE Tl;i
THE CARCAJOU CAUGHT— DEATH OF THE CARCAJOU— CARIBOO— A FIRE U:
CAMP— THE CANOE BURNED— THE YOUNG MEN's DEJECTION— A RAFT .'»-:

CHAPTER VIII.
i:asy progress- fragrance of the WOODS— Pierre's love of natvi;

WILDERNESS JOVS — PIERRE AND GAULTIER's EARLY BRINGING-l'l'-.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN TRAPPER — ROMANCE OF THE PRAIRIES DYING dll-
CARIBOO BUCK — JAKE AND COCKNEY SPORTSMEN- PIERRE's ACCDUM '
THE CARIBOO— JAKE AND THE BUG-GATHERER — PIERRE's NOTES CONTIM i;

—Jake's tutors— the woodland cariboo UK;

CHAPTER IX.

EVENING ON THE ATHABASCA— PIERRE'S REFLECTIONS— C A MP—TIIE MOO^E-!^(
RANGE— ITS NUMBERS— NATURE OF ITS HABITAT— ITS FOOD — APPEARAXCET |
THE MOOSE— ITS HABITS— METHODS OF HUNTING THE MOOSE — DAX{iEl!llt^
SPORT— Ct^NNINO OF THE MOOSE— " CALLING " — INTERLOCKED ANTI.EBS-lj
CHANGE OF WEATHER— A HUT I2.i-I.:

CHAPTER X.

HOW TO MAKE A KIRE — JAKE's PROPOSITION- A DAY's SQUIRREL ■ IIl'MINi- ]
A CUNNING SQUIRREL— Jake's disgust at his failure — SHARP SIlOOTINi'-;
PIERRE EMULATES JAKE's SKILL— A GOOD SHOT — THE CANADA PORtiriXE- 5
GAULTIER SHOOTS THE PORCUPINE— THE HUNTERS DISCOVER TWO LAKE- 1
A BEAVER SETTLEMENT— A DEBATE— ITS RESULT— A FOREST WALK— SIN^E'
AND TWILIGHT— POT- PIE— Pierre's account of the squirrel— M. REVOll'i
GAME LIST 139-li' j

CONTENTS,

CIIM'TKR XI.

roUfl'I'INE — I'M MKTIIDU OF HEI-K-UEKENCE — DESTUITTIVE TO TIIEEH —
JAKK.'s Ol'INlON OF ruIKTlMNK — TUK TUFT-TAII,— riEIlIt E's ACIOINT OF
THE BEAVEIl— IIKUNE's Afl'OUN T— .rAKE'M I'KT ItEAVEH AM) WHAT IT MI)

-THE OLD IIUNTEIi'm ADVEXTUIIE— NAUUOW EHCAl'E FllOM DEATH ..IfiS-lT-l

CHAl'TKIl XII.

•ftff TWIN LAKES — .SKTl'INU HEAVEU-TKArS — THE WOLVEniNE — Til K UnNTEIlM
|i1;TEK.MI.NE TO TllAP Tin: WOLVERINE— AN AMUl'Sll IN A TIN E TKEE— NKMIT
IS Tin; FOllEHT— BEAVEUTnAlM'IXd- STRUrUILES OF A UKAVER— OLD .IAKE'm
MISADVENTURE— HIS STORY OF IMS FIRST BUFFALO — THE "tKIIITEST rLA<E"
IVKE WAS EVEtt IN— CHAdED BY INDIANS- A FEARFUL LEAP— EAGLE JAt'K
AND JAKE MAKE THEIR ESCAPE lTu-l'J3

CHAPTER XIII.

rN — JAKE AND THE CARCAJOU — .SUCCESSFUL TK APPINO — TWILTOHT IN TlIK
FoRE.ST— A " painter"— BLACK FOXES — A WOODLAND OLADE— NOCTURNAL
SOUNDS— THE "painter" AND THE HARE— DEATH OF THE COUdAR— PLEAS-
URES OF A hunter's life — THE LUMBER TRADE— JAKE's OPINION OF IT —
liENUlNE PHILOSOPHY 19-1-204

CILM'TKR XIV.

IVE CAMP— ARIilVAL AT FORT PIERRE— A HEARTY WELCOME— PIEMIE's SATIS-
FACTION- JEALoUSY-A RIVAL FOR MISS FR.VZER's AFFECTIONS- A "sCKNE"
—THE CHALLENOE — PIERRE'S ClOOD RESOLUTIONS — HIS APOLOOY REJECTED

- .m'li:oi)'s threat— Pierre's conscientious .scruples — the duel— ter-
rible TR.VUEDY — MISS FBAZER's DEATH — ACiONY OF m'lEOD — JAKE'S
ACCOUNT — THE FUNERAL — THE MEETINd AT THE GRAVE — DISAPPEARANCE

OF m'lkod 205-218

CHAPTER XV.

IE TRAPPERS LEAVE FORT PIERRE- GLOOMY REFLECTIONS — JAKE GETS RESTIVE
—A CAMP— AN INDIAN VISITOR— AN EXPLOSION- ESCAPE OF THE INDIAN —
HUNT FOR BREAKFAST— OAI;LTIER's ADVENTURE— OLD JAKE STALKED BY
SAVAOES- HE IS SAVED BY GAULTIER— DEATH OF THE INDIANS— PIERRE's
KKllUN AND ASTONISHMENT 219-231

CHAPTER XVI.

^EUKE's NAUIUTIVE OF HIS .MORNINo's ADVENTURE— A STRANCiE CRY — THE
CANADA PORCUPINE AND THE LYNX— PIERRE SHOOTS A BUCK— OLD JAKE's
SCRUPLE.S— SUPERSTITION OF BACKWOODSMEN REOARDINU THE WHIP-POOR-
WILL— PIERRE's ACCOUNT OF THE WHIP-POOR-WILL- INDIAN BELIEF AS TO
ITS ORIGIN— A SALT LICK — JAKE's FIRE-STICK— A NIGHT AT THE LICK — A
WOLVERINE— A " PAINTER"— DEATH OF A WOLVERINE— PIERRE SHOOTS A
DEER— RETURN TO THE UUT 232-251

via

CONTEXTS.

CIIAPTEIl XVJI.

DIHAPrEAn.VSCK OK TIIK RAFT — JAKE's OI'INIkN — hEAlti K KoU TIIK RAflJ
ITS KAILUUi;— .TAKE CONTINUES THE SEAllCII AI<ONE— MOONLIUHT Wau|
TUKKE INDIANS— THE HAFT IHSLOVEUED— THE CHEEK IMHANH POLE

BAFT I'A.sT Jake's amuumu — a uifle shut— jake'h kscai'E— the INI.H.^

ATTEMPT TO MUlll'lUSE THE HUNTEIl— JAKE (iAlNS THE llAFT — DEAtU
ONE INDIAN— IIETUKN OF THE OTHEllS— JAKE HHooTS ItoTH AT i
SHOT ill-l

CHAPTKR XVIir.

IMEUUE AND HIS COUSIN HTAIIT FUR THE INDIANS* HUT— THEY FIND THI; I:
OF TWO OF THE SAVAOES— DltEADFUL SPECTACLE I'RESENTEI) ItY ONE OK 111
—AN IMI'ROMl'TU IIKI DOE -THEV ARRIVE AT THE HUT— SET OUT FOIt K
CAMP— A BEAR— HE MEETS HIS DEATH— PIERRE's ACCOUNT OF THE lilU-^
THE tlRIZZLY — THE BROWN AND POLAR HEARS — HIUEnNATION— METIU'I
HUNTING- JAKE's ADVENTURE '.'I ' .

CIIAPTEIl XIX.

A BTORM ON LAKE ATHAHASCA— DANGER- A WASTE OF WATERS— THE TlUrra|
REACH THE NORTH SHORE— LOST— A BULL MOOSE — A GOOD SHOT— XI MU.-'
OF MOOSE IN THE ATHABASCA DISTRICT — UKADUAL EXTINCTION OF IE
WOOD BISON — START FOR FORT CHEPEWVAN — WATERFOWL — BEAVEKs-
ADVENTURE WITH A ORIZZLV— OLD JAKE's ADVENTURE WITH A (illlZZ:!
BEAR. •2S3-.''!

CHAPTER XX.

ARRIVAL AT FOUT CHEPEWYAN— UNACCUSTOMED LUXURIES— THE HUNTEHS Pr-
VIDE A NEW CANOE AND A PLENTIFUL SUPPLY OF PROVISIONS— ENTER Tri|
PEACE RIVER— A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE PEACE— A GRAND FEAST— PlEIillE!
ACCOUNT OF THE MUSK-OX — HIS ADVENTURE WITH A MUSK-OX — riRE|
HUNTING- OAULTIER's ADVENTURE — DRAWING A BEAD ON A PARLO'EJ
WINDOW— THE OLD COLON EL's RAGE— REINDEER AND BUFFALO MOUNTAIN"
—MIGRATIONS OF REINDEER 297-3'iS I

CHAPTER XXI.

JAKE FOLLOWED BY A BEAU— AN AFFRAY— JAKE COMES TO GAULTIEU'si ASM<1
ANCE— HE RIDES THE BEAR OUT OF CAMP AND KILLS HIM — PIKKKEi I
ACCOUNT OF THE BROWN BEAR— WOLVES AT THE CARCASS— JAKE's IIATKEdI
OF WOLVES, AND ITS REASON— HIS THRILLING STORY OF ESCAPE FROM A
PACK OF WOLVES— THE ERMINE WEASEL— THE PINE MARTEN — A CANOE ANP
TWO VOYAGEURS— REACH VERMILION— DUNVEGAN— TAKE LEAVE OF OlEj
TRAPPERS 311-325

IN THE LAND OF THE MOOSE, THE BEAK,
AND THE BEAVEIt.

-M-

CHAPTER I.

If. NdllTII-WEST TKRIlITonY— ClAMK-KANdK OK TIIK lUKKAMi - WiMH) IlISdN —
IILKSON BAY COMPANY— IJIVAr. COMPANY — FEUDS— I-OPCLATIOX—PUAIRIEH
— JllVKUS — KE-FLOKS— " rilK UAIUIEN OKOUNUS "— MUSK OXF.N — NATIVE
TllIUES — CANNIIIALISM — TUAIUTION OF THE DELUDE— IIOUNDAKY OF THE
WOOUS— MACKENZIE RIVEK DISTIIIUT.

HE vast territory of North-Western Canatla, compris-

ig an area almost equal to that of Europe, ofFers an

pactive field to the explorer or hunter. Here may

found the deer, the moose, the elk or wapiti {Cevvus

niadensi'^), the fierce grizzly bear, and the cougar, or

tainter" as he is styled by the backwoodsman. Fur-
jaring animals, persecuted for many generations by
k' hardy employes of the Hudson Bay Company, exist
fill in considerable numbers in the tangled forests ;

it the buffalo, once the staple of subsistence of many
pbes, no longer thunders across the plains in count-

5s thousands. Only in scattered bands do these

ill

!rl

tiANcE OF Tin: inn'FAiAK

sliagLCy iiionarclis of the wild still survivo. ('ontinim
.slaii^'litiT l)y the lialf-ln'ootl liuntia'.s, and tlic ('casclivx
war waj^«'d aifainst thcin )»y tlio Jndians, wlio liv
almost solely on tluiir llesli, have at last told ii|ii
their innnhers.

JJefon^ th(! Pacific Railway was made, the hiiHii!
herds ranf(ed from the Cjireat Slave iiaUe in the noit!. |
to the fertile prairies of Texas in the south. P)ut iioiv |
the niyria<l droves which formerly hlackened the pliiiii-
no longer exist, and the few survivors of the soutlui:
herds find temporary security in the wild territuii- |
of New Mexico, Arizona, and Panhandle Texas, wliii
those in the north are driven deeper and deeper iiit
the wilderness each successive year.

In the extensive forests of the Athabasca, there b|
an animal of the same species — the wood bison-|
larger and fiercer than his brethren of the plains ; lni;|
lie too is scarce. It is possible that this animal Ma<
originally identical with the common buffalo, but tliatj
forced by circumstances to the shelter of the forest-
he, as has occurred in the case of other animals, be-l
came somewhat modified in habit and appearance, ii.j
order to conform to the requirements of his new hahitnt

In the immense regions lying north-wost of Mcanij
toba many other valuable animals are to be foiiiv!
These we shall describe in the course of this narrativii
of adventure.

The geography of these wild regions is little knovui
to the general reader. Chartographers, and the im

niK HUDSON IIA Y COM I' ANY.

jrsons wlio liave travt'IU'<l tljcre, nre alinojit tlie only

(livifluals ac(iuaintod with the pliysical aspect of tho

)imtry. For upwards of two ceiituriL'S the ILiulson

^uy Company have hoeii virtual rulerH of tho land;

il ill the prosecution of the fur-trade t)u'3' have
stahlished their posts in the wildest and most inac-
jssihle districts. Their voymjciirH and coiwcurs Jch

'M are famous in every country for hardihood and
:ill in the prosecution of their calling. Fierce con-
icts between them and the sava<^c Redskins have fro-
uently taken place, as thrilling as those which render
ttnictivc the pages of Fenimorc Cooper.

Not alone with the nomads of the plains have these
H'ce hunters joined issue in deadly conflict. Another
)iiipany — the North-West Fur Company — many years
ju pushed its trade into regions over which the Hud-
)n Bay Company assumed authority in virtue of their
laiter; and more than one pitched battle was fought
)tween the rival employes.

It is estimated that the population of the Hudson

ly Company's territories is about one hundred and
Pty thousand — of which number probably one-tenth

resident at the Red River Settlement. The popu-
ii'um of that district, however, is now increasing with
ich marvellous rapidity that it is difficult to state its
uact amount. The remainder consists of the various
^anty tribes of Indians and the employes of the Fur

)inpany. Thus almost tho whole of the country
)rtli-west of Red River is a wilderness. Boundless

THE PRAIRIES AND THE FORESTS.

! I

v. I

prairies stretch for hundreds of miles between thej
white settlements at Winnipeg and the Rocky Moun
tains, broken hei'c and there by isolated hills — sucli asj
the Touduvood, Two Peaks, and Eagle Hill.

Forests of immense extent clothe some districts
while others are pleasantly diversified by an adinix|
ture of wood and prairie, which gives a park -like
aspect to the scenery. Such is the case in the countnp
comprised between both arms of the Saskatchewan!
From the junction of these streams, stretching nortli
war;] for several hundred miles, to Lake Athabasca, is
perhaps the largest forest-covered section in the Terri-
tory. This is the great preserve of the Hudson Bay
Company, for v/ithin the gloomy recesses of tliesel
woods fur-bearing animals are plentiful, while the pclfc|
are of the first quality.

In the west, the Rocky Mountains rear their snov-
clad peaks among the clouds, while their lower slopesl
are clad with dense forests, which extend along tlit|
chain for many hundreds of miles.

Among these grim mountains numerous rivers takel
their rise ; of which some find their way eastwardsj
across the prairies, after cutting a passage throiigli
tremendous canons, the summits of which frown three|
thousand and four thousand feet above the foaniinii
torrent below. Such are the Peace, the Athabasca, and
Saskatchewan. Others find their way westward to tb
warm waters of the Pacific through alternate plain^
and mountains — the former often fertile and adorned

THE RIVERS AND ""HE ICEFLOES.

'ith groves, while the latter are usually heavily
umbered.

Again, other rivers, having their sources within Brit-
sli territory, flow northwards, and debouch in the
irctic Ocean, after traversing hundreds of miles of
Icsert solitudes. Of these, the chief are the Youkon,
he Turnagain or Liard's River, and the Mackenzie.
'lie last flows out of the north-west corner of the
heat Slave Lake, and carries with it almost to its
[ebouchure a milder climate than prevails in the re-
ions contiguous to its course. Thus along its banks
(iinber of larger growth is found than is elsewhere
yielded by the sterile and frost-bound soil ; for here
le ground is evei frozen, the summer heats not pene-
rating more than a few feet beneath the surface. The
winter cold often reaches 40" and even 50° below zero,
rhilc the heat in summer, on the other hand, rises to
[00° in the shade !
x\t the junction of the Liard with the Mackenzie,
latitude 61° north, is situated Fort Simpson, a post
the Hudson Bay Company ; and in spring, when the
2e breaks up in the rivers, a scene at once grand and
Brrible is witnessed by the inhabitants. Among the
locky Mountains to the south the Liard has its source;
^nd swollen by the melting of the snows on the hills,
rushes impetuously northwards, pouring its foaming
food into the still ice-boun^l Mackenzie. For a short time
le ice resists the action of the waters, but soon gives
i'ay with a crash like thunder. Roaring and tumbling

■ 1

Itll

" THE BARREN GROUNDS"

in the turbid stream, it rolls madly along, piling Vcastj
blocks along the banks, and tearing from their foumla-
lions huge boulders, and uprooting trees, which aiej
splintered like matchwood by its resistless force. Bar-
riers of ice-blocks sometimes bridge the stream acrovj
and clieck the movement of the ice-floe. But tlit
confined waters surge wave on wave, rising to tli'l
height of forty feet, and with their accumulated pres-
sure again force a passage with a thunderous roaij
which can be heard for miles.

The destruction occasioned by these floods can easily I
be imagined. Forests are levelled with the ground ; anj|
even the trading-posts of the Fur Company, althoiigli
placed for safety on the higher grounds, do not alwav;
escape. Fort Good Hope, situated about one hundred I
and twenty miles south of Fort Simpson, was swept
away some years since by a flood, and the inhabitant?
had only just time to leap into a boat which, provi-
dentially, happened to be at hand.

On the north-east of the Territory, on the westeriil
shores of Hudson Bay, lies a country extending over
several thousand sriuare miles, called " The Barren |
Grounds." The rock formation is primitive, and the
soil ste *le. It is a country of rugged eminences ami
numerous valleys, each of which has its stream and|
lake. Vegetation is scanty and poor: a few brakes
of willows, with an occasional clump of dwarf pines
in the valleys, and several species of lichen on thcJ
stony hills, cor, titute almost the only vegetation.

A country so

NATIVE TRIBES.

A country so poor is naturally destitute of animal
fc, and, as a consequence, in these desolate regions but
>w species are to be found. The reindeer and that
iiaint- looking animal the musk-ox are the principal
liiadvupeds, and form the staple of subsistence to the
iw wretched tribes which dwell on the outskirts of
dreary land. Wolves arc also found ; and along
10 coasts of Hudson Bay walruses, seals, narwhals, and
)lar bears furnish food for the wandering Eskimos.
From the shores of the Great Bear Lake, and reach-
ig to the Coppermine River, lie the hunting-grounds
\i the Dog -rib Indians. Here reindeer abound, and
icir flesh and skins afford food and clothing to the
kativcs. These Indians are a well-formed and athletic
ribe, and are the terror of their more peaceful and less
powerful neighbours.
The various tribes inhabiting the country along the
uiks of the Mackenzie and the regions reaching inland
rom that river, are all members of the Chippewan
uiiily, and are called Slaves, Dog-ribs, Rabbit-skins,
^n(I Gens des Montaofnes. Alonq; Peel River is found
tribe which speakKS a language diflferent from the
i'liippewayan ; but these are migrants, and are believed
have come from within the Territory of Alaska.
riiey are called Loucheux or Squint-eyes.
Although the different tribes constituting the great
^liippewayan group inhabit districts widely distant
Tom each other, and have done so for many genera-
tions, it is remarkable that their various dialects are

I 1
1

CANNIBALISM.

hi:

intelligible to all. In their manners and usages there]
is also a very close resemblance. Their treatment ofl
their women offers a strong contrast to the custonj
of all other tribes on the American continent. InsteaJ
of making them the drudges of the village, hewers oi|
wood and drawers of water, the men take all tlh
manual labour on themselves. They hew the poles fori
the lodge; they draw them from the forest, and erect |
them. They clear the snow from the encampment
they even bring home the produce of the chase. Itbl
singular that this family should stand in such marked
contrast with not only the surrounding tribes, but witlij
all others in America, whether north or south. Every-
where else savage man debases woman, and makes herl
his slave. These Indians are a mild, inoffensive racej
lovers of peace, and good hunters.

Prior to the settlement of whites amongst them, theyl
in common with the Eskimos, had no ideas of relisfioiil

" Ya-ga-ta-that-hee-hee," or " the man that lies alonsl
the sky," is their mode of reference to the Deitj.l
Religion, however, is not their strong point ; and they,
like all savages, are the dupes of their medicine-men or|
magicians, to whom they pay great respect.

Notwithstanding their kind treatment of theirl
women, polygamy is not uncommon among the SlavesI
and Rabbit-skins. Want of forethought in the sum-j
mer, when game is plentiful, exposes them in the win-]
ter to the severest distress. Instances of cannibalisml
have often occurred, too horrible to be credited, if not|

(786)

TRADITION OF THE DELUGE.

ipportcd by good authority. \Vc have heard of a

island, travelling towards a post of the Hudson Bay

)nipany in search of relief, packing up his wife as

rovision for the journey. This supply becoming ex-

lustod, the monster next sacrificed one of his children.

lis, too, being consumed before he reached the fort,

le cannibal was found by an officer of the Company

basting the remains of his last child at the fire ! A

fctle forethought during the season of plenty would

tevent this terrible distress: but everywhere savage

(an seems incapable of foresight; he lives only for

ke present, and allows the future to take care of

self.

It is singular that among these aborigines of the

[orth-West Territory the tradition of the Deluge should

pist — although they preserve no legend of their migra-

)n from other lands to their present home. Thus, if

iestioned as to whence they originally came, their

(iial reply is : " For hundreds of moons since the lands

ire covered ivith tuatev our fathers have hunted here ;

M the white man it was who first told us that other

mtries existed." The Algonquins in Canada pre-

rve a similar tradition ; and among the savages of

Orinoco, in South America, Humboldt found the

)ry of the Deluge. Surely this is strong confirmation

the truth of the sacred narrative. The rocks and

)untains, too, bear their testimony in its favour. And

people who accept without question other his-

fical narratives are sometimes but too ready to be led

!(TS(i) 2

! i

BOUNDARY OF THE WOODS.

li!;'

Mil

il;
I

!i:i

astray by any trifling difRculty in reconciling the sacred]
text with scientific discoveries.

A line drawn from the south-east corner of the Great !
Bear Lake to the sixtieth degree of north latitude on
the shore of Hudson Bay, will form the north-eastein
and eastern boundaries of the woods. Towards HikI-
son Bay and the northern coasts from this line lie the
Barren Grounds. The principal river of this section is
the Great Fish River; also called the River Back, after a
gentleman of that name who explored its course about
the year 1834. But during this story we shall not be
concerned with these barren wildernesses. Let us,
therefore, turn to more attractive regions.

The Mackenie River district is by far the richest in
furs of any in the Territory; and this is more espec-
ially the case with regard to the beaver. But although
large game is still abundant, in former times it was
much more so. Moose and cariboo, or the woodland rein-
deer, existed in extraordinary numbers ; but the slaugh-
ter necessary to supply the employes of many forts as I
well as the Indians has somewhat thinned their ranks,!
Great numbers of these animals, however, still exist
and afford sport and food to the wandering hunter.

With this rough outline of the country and its pro-
ductions, let me introduce to my boy-reader some olJl
friends.

CHAPTER II.

iBlENCnV NEAR PORTAGE LA LOCHE— THE CAMP— HUNTERS— THREE OLD FRIENDS

—OLD Jake's stohv— stoum on the ci.earwatkr— uncomfortable nioht

— DAWN — THINGS BRIGHTEN- JAKE's OPINION OF THE SETTLEMENTS— HIS
FIRST GUN.

IIt is usual to commence a story of this nature by

|clitiusing a roseate hue over the landscape, and by rep-
resenting the hero or heroes as enjoying their situa-

Ition to their hearts' content,

I regret that I am unable to deviate so far from

[facts as to imitate this seductive example. On the
sontrary, when the incidents occurred from which I

^haw this veracious tale, the rain poured in torrents,
clashing against the rocks, and seething in the fur-
rowed surface of the Clearwater River. Murky clouds
concealed the sky behind their dripping folds, and

[threw an inhospitable gloom over a scene which, even
iiKJer such unfavourable circumstances, was eminently
)icturesque.
This effect is heightened by the sudden manner in
rliieh the prospect bursts upon the view. A steep hill
?nds the portage La Loche ; and this surmounted, the
eye falls first upon a beautiful hill of emerald green-

THE CAMP DESCRIBED.

\\\\

ii'l!

V
ll

ness which rises abruptly from the banks of the Cletir-
water River. An extensive range of hills, of which this
is the most remarkable, runs parallel with the stream,
their sides clothed with forests, and often traversed hy
deep ravines opening back from the w^ater. The sinu-
ous course pursued by the river frequently conceals it
behind w^ooded promontories ; and, as often, its rapid
waters issuing from their shelter are visible at inter-
vals as it flows down the valley.

From among the trees which grow on one of the
most heavily -wooded of these promontories a dense
smoke is issuing, and hangs in thick clouds above the
summits of the trees. Evidently it is an encampment.
We will approach and see who they are who journey
in this vast wilderness.

As we near the spot, an immense fire, formed of the
entire trunks of decayed trees, shines ruddily among
the thick foliage of the spruces, and combats for su-
premacy with the thickening twilight. By its light we
see a hut — a mere temporary shelter, composed of the
dense branches of the pines. In the doorway, which
fronts the fire, and is of ample size to accommodate
them, we behold three figures. They are busily engaged
in superintending the cooking of their evening meal:
and for this purpose they have raked large and clear
embers from the main fire nearer to their hut, and
upon these sputter sundry parts of a deer, the remain-
der of which hangs from a branch near by.

These travellers are evidently hunters, as may be I

THE TIIRKE HUNTERS.

int'orrcd from their accoutrcmcnis. They are of dif-
lorciit ages, too. The eldest — a dark-visaged, spare
man, of sinewy aspect — seems, as far as can be judged
from a few grizzled locks which straggle from beneath
liis greasy coon-skin cap, to be about s.xty years of
age. His eyes are small, black, and restless. They
wander everywhere, above and around, not vacantly,
l)iit with a quick keenness, which is, doubtless, born of
the necessity of keeping a sharp outlook. His equip-
ments are apparently much the worse of wear; his
bullet-pouch and straps reflect the firelight from their
tfreasy surface ; while the individual himself seems as
if he had not washed for many a day.

His companions are much younger than this veteran ;
but between these also there is an evident disparity of
age. The elder, naturally of dark complexion, is appa-
rently swarthed to a still deeper hue by long exposure
to the elements. His equipments are of a more modern
appearance than those of his older comrade ; but they
too seem to have seen much service.

The youngest of the party is not much more than
a lad ; but while years have not had time to impart a
manly air, the nature of his calling has impressed him
with a boldness of glance and action which go far to
make amends for his youth fulness.

Within the hut, muzzles downwards, hang three
rifles. Of these, two are Winchester repeaters, while
[the third is an old-fashioned rifle of the Kentucky pat-
tern. The travellers apparently reached their present

OLD J A ICE'S ^TORY.

I i:

' m \

encampment by water, for a ccdur-wood canoe rests
bottom up upon the shingly beacli within a few yards
of the fire. Under the shelter of the hut arc stowod
the articles of the freight.

The party seem in high good humour notwithstan<l-
ing the downpour of rain which hisses in the embirs.
They are amused, apparently, by some anecdote which
their grizzled companion is narrating in the inter\ als
between his attacks on a venison rib which he holds
across his mouth in both hands, gnawing it from
right to left, and left to right. We will draw a
little nearer, and share in the amusement of the two
youths : —

" Wal, boyees, that wa'n't a sarcumstance to what
happened last time I wur at the fort. Some mouii-
tainy men wur thur, a tradin' thur plunder, an' you
bet they wur on fur a big drink ! They wur squenchin'
thur thirst this-a-way one day, an' talkin' o' what they
cud do wi' thur rifles, when a dispute riz between two
o' 'em, which wur the best shot. " * 'Tis easy to settle
that,' sez Gadwell Green. 'Hyur's my old shootin
stick, and thur's yourn. We'll rig up a mark fast enuff,
I'll allow, an' the boys '11 jedge atween us.' T'other
fellur agreed at oncest, an' looked round far his rifle,
which he had leaned agin the wall. I wur thur at
the time, an' seed one o' the lads put down somethin
as wa'n't powder in the rifle afore handin' it to the
owner, who didn't see what wur goin' on. A nail wur
druv in a tree sixty yards away, an' the thing wur to

lliit that on tht
Ihcst shot.

"Wal, to m<'
[chap— I forget.^
thur stand, an'
(liven, an artei
touched the nai
iiiade tothcr'n h
yc blatherin' p;
cackle!' Wal,
[no report, 1 gn
1 1 wur dead on

pison ! Hyur
I cyther. Boyees

rise yer ha'r!
I drivin' home his
i wur jest a-goin'

boys he sez, '^
I Why, blank ef

we all rolled al

wur a long whi
I the fellur's rifle

cudn't go wi' th
"The way tl:
I reckon ! But ii

M'antcd Green t
\ go on, an' arter
! thing a joke.

au' tickles this (

OLD JAKE'H STOJIY.

[liit thaf on tlu; lieacl ; — wliucvcr did tliat rust wiir the
Ibcst sliot,

" Wal, to make my story short, Green an' t'otlier
[chap — I forgets his name — kxids tliur rilles an' takes
thur stand, an' tosses fur fust shot. The toss loll to
Green, an arter a kcarful aim he tired an' jest a'most
tuuclied the nail. The boys cheered the sliot, an' that
niadc t'othcr'n savage as a meat-axe. ' Shct yer mouths,
yc blatherin' pack,' sez he, 'an' wait till / shoots to
cackle!' Wal, he aims away, an' pulls; but thur wur
I no report, I guess. 'Blank this 'ar gun,' sez he, 'but
I wur dead on that nail, an' 'ud 'a made a hit sure as
(pison! Hyur goes agin!' No shot kem tliis time
jCytlier. Boyees, the talk that fellur went on with 'ud
rise yer ha'r I He pranced round cussin' awful, an'
drivin' home his ramrod to put down the charge. He
wur jest a-goin' to put on another cap, when one o' the
boys he sez, ' What'n thunder ails yer ritle, old coon ?
AVhy, blank ef she ain't got the tapeworm!' You bet
we all rolled about in fits o' larfin. Sure enuff thur
wur a long whitey thread a-pokin' out o' the nipple o'
the fellur's rifle, which wur cheese ! 0' coorse the gun
cudn't go wi' that behint the powder.

" The way that fellur got on wur a sight to sec, I
reckon ! But it wur nigh havin' a bad endin', as he
wanted Green to fight ; but the boys wouldn't let that
go on, an' arter a while they got him to think the hull
thinor a joke. Ye-es, that wur a funny sight, I guess,
au' tickles this coon as often as I thinks o' it."

* I

A STORM ON TUt: CLEAllWATKR.

l:li!

The liin^Mia;:^c and appoavance of the old Ininter ain
his coinpanion.s huuui familiar; — bcyon<l a doubt wl
have met them before. It is Pierre and his companions
Gaultier and old Jake, with whom wo travelled on the
Saskatchewan. From their remarks it is evident tliat
now they are upon a similar expedition throujLjh Uk
wild countries of the North-West. We propose t(j
accompany them, and to chronicle their various adven-
tures, for the instruction and amusement of our youni:
readers.

The party finished their supper, and made arranije-
ments for spending the night beneath the shelter of
their hut. Bear-skins and blankets were unrolled an4
spread over piles of vvhitc cedar boughs, which furnish
a couch at once fra<xrant and elastic. Enormous loi^s
were heaped on the fire, which sent volumes of sparks
up through the pall-like foliage overhead, and the flar-
ing light gleamed on the rushing river, and glistened
on the wet tree trunks.

The storm, however, soon thickened ; fierce gusts tore
down the gorge, sometimes drowning the rush of tlie
river, and bending the trees like reeds ; while branches
torn from the parent trunks were whirled about, and
strewed the ground round the camp. Rain in sheets
hissed through the woods, and notwithstanding the care
with which the hunters made their hut, it found its
way through, and trickled faster and faster on their
faces, makinnf this refujxe untenable.

The hoarse thunder of the Clearwater plunging madly

AN UNdOMl'onTAliLK NUlHT.

Itliroiigh tlic «lfirkn(!M,s, the f^roaiiiiii,' of the trees a.s they
swayed to and fro beneath the force of the tempest,
Itlio reiuUn;:^' of hranclies and tlie crasli of fallinj^^ trunks,
filled tlic air, and, t(),L,a;ther 'vvith tlic soaking rain, pre-
IvLuted the party from sleeping. Indeed, tlioy prefern.'d
|to sit c(nvering over the fire, which, despite jjine-knots
|iii plenty, they could scarcely manage to keep a-light.

The hilarity which they had displayed earlier in the
levelling now gave place to silent gloom, occasionally
lliuken l)y a dissatisfied growl from old Jake. A few
lyardis from the camp, on the windward side, stood a
|cliiiiip of largo pines, two of which were dead, ami
Ibtretched abroad their white and scathed branches.
(The old hunter glanced uneasily at these once or twice,
hvlien suddenly a gust fiercer than usual howled down
|the valley, and, with a report like a field-piece, the
larger of the two trees snaj^ped across, and fell with a
Icrash almost across the fire.

" I knowed it," said Jake ; " that blamed tree wur a
hvheezin' an' a cough in' at us all night. I guess we'd
better shift the canoe out o' whur it is. That old stack
|o' faoffjots wur ni^jh on doin' fur it !"

Accordingly the lads rose, and with old Jake's assist-

lance carefully lifted the canoe and put it in a place of

bafoty. None too soon had this precaution been taken,

las they now perceived that, swollen with the rain, the

river had risen to within a few inches of the spot on

^vhich the boat had lain.

Towards morning the gale moderated and the rain

(. I ■ ,

liiiianrENiNi} UP.

JAKE'S

I,'

ceased ; 1)ut, drenched and shivering-, none of the Innitov^j
were ahle to obtain any sleep. They therefoi'e sjicnt
the remainder of the night at the lire, which burnci!
badly, and almost choked them with dense smoke. At
length the dawn streaked the eastern sky, from whicli
the clouds in ragged masses trailed slowly away. Tlie
warm sun soon dispelled the chilly feeling which early
morning always occasions, and our hunters shortly be-
gan to feel brighter under the influence of his genial
rays. Birds twittered and fluttered through the thick
foliage of the spruces ; ducks quacked upon the river,
and the passing flights soared higher with a rrsli as
they perceived the i)arty at the camp. Everything
seemed to rejoice at the departure of the gloomy, un-
comfortable night, and at the advent of cloudless skie.>
and warm sunshine.

Old Jake busied himself in building a fir'e, which lio
easily eflected with sheets of birch-bark and pitcl: pine
knots, which existed in plenty in the neighbourhood,
and which are full of bitumen, and highly inflammable.
Gaultier filled the camp kettle and hung it over the
blaze ; Pierre cut the venison for their meal from the
carcass of the deer ; and as soon as breakfast was ready,
the three hunters seated themselves round the fire,
which drew the steam in clouds from their wet ii'ar-
ments. This, however, little incommoded them, as they
were well inured to the desag rements of a trapper's life.
Old Jake, indeed, seemed in unusually good spirits.

" It diz this coon's gizzard good," he said, " to get I

JAKES OPINION OF THE SETTLEMENTS.

back to the woods agin. I wnr a wearyin' down thin*
It the settlement to get out o' tlie crowds. I never
ret seed any use in a crowd — a lot o' fellurs 'ithout a
btion o' a trail or a rifle, an' tcarin' round like all
[rcation arter cows and pigs from one end o' the week

the other. Wagh ! it a'most pisons me to think sich
[tllurs ur goin' on wi' thur doin's whur I reelects
Ihootin' Imffler some years agone !"

" I suppose buffalo were plentiful in those days ? "
lid Pierre.

" Yc may say that," replied the old trapper ; " I've
^ecd the time that I cud shoot a thousand o' the critters
11 a week. The half-breeds from Red River used to
|«ake a skirr out arter 'em, an' as often as not 'ud go
back wi' five thousand karkidges. Ye-cs; them wur
[he times when a man cud 'arn his livelihood easy.
)\\i now, what atween Injuns, half-breeds, an' bufiler-
[kinncrs, I guess the game's druv off the peraras."

Here the old hunter heaved a deep sigh, no doubt

lit the disappearance of his favourite game from its

former haunts, and the advent of colonists whom he

(ooked on a.s enemies of the most malignant type. The

loal proceeded in silence, broken only by the rush of

pie river, the occasional note of a bird, or the hollow

ipping of the wood-pecker, who was busily engaged

[n extracting his breakfast from the decayed trunks of

[lie trees. All having at length satiated their appe-

itos, they lolled a little round the fire before breaking

lip cainp.

1 E

: ?

JAKE'S FIRST GUN.

ill!

IIIM

I' I'll

Illiiill!!

" Boyces," said Jake, " did I ever tell yer about tlifj
fust gun I ever got my claws on ?"

"No, Jake," answered Gaultier; "do tell us aljoii;|
it."

" Wal, it wur a funny thing too," continued the oU
hunter. "Ye see I wur fond o' shootin' since I brokM
the shell; and when I wur about seven year old, I
determined to get a gun somehow. Now, I seed jist
what I wanted over the chimbly at Uncle Silas's, wlnu
I w^ur sent to stay fur my health, bein' a bit backard
for my age. Wal, the thing wur twice as long a'liiost
as myself, but I guess that wur no diffeeculty ; so one
fine mornin', bright an' airly, I skips out o' bed, an' w'l
the help o' a table an' cha'r, I gets my claws upon the
gun, a-leavin' the bag behint wi' a stick in it to keep it
stiff. I reckon I didn't greatly admire it now I had a
holt of it ; but it wur a gun, an' that wur everything.
I stole out to the wood-shed to look it over, an' to lie
the lock, which o' coorse wur a flint. I soon diskiv-
ered, hows'ever, that the hammer wouldn't work — any-
how, I guess I cudn't make it — an' I v^^'ur a-gwine to |
put the old blunderbox back agin, when who shed look
in but Pete Sniggers, as bright an imp as arey a one I
round them diggin's. Pete, who wur a kupple o' year?
older'n me, no sooner sees the old gun than he says,|
* Jake, you've sloped wi' that thar gun, and I'm jest
a-gwine to tell old Silas about it — / am — ef we dout
run it on shares. Say.'

"*Wal, Pete,' says I, 'I don't say agin that. I've

lot the gun ; an'

' Tliat's fair ar
diur I kin mak
[quint at the gun
^way, an' pulled
jlaraed thing wou
ike it along wi'
)enter as lived
[upple o' days I
^ers hadn't left
Fohnny,' says Pad
but Biddy b'iled
lers to her that c
lelped. Anyhow,
jiin; you're too y
^elf; so you ough
rur mortal vexec
lihort o' what Unc
old musket gone.
ielped ; an' so I w

'Tlu'ee days ai
Jicle Silas says i
^e, ' that you're n
?ers. He stole a
blowed the hull at
under the table.
^n' only Uncle Sil
Inust have smelt o

PADDY'S APOLOGY.

lot tlie gun ; an' do you get the fodder, an' I'm in \vi'

rcr.

' ' Tliat's fair an' squar' enough,' says Pete. ' I knows
diur I kin make a raise o' powder. But let's hev a
[quint at the gun.' Pete turned it this away an' that
jiway, an' pulled an' tugged, but 'twur no go ; the
3laraed thing wouldn't cock for us. He then said he'd
^ake it along wi' him an' get it fixed by an Irish car-
Dcnter as lived clost to his own house. Wal, in a
Qipple o' days I walked over an' asked ef Pete Snig-
jers hadn't left my old gun fur repairs. 'Yerra,
lolinny,' says Paddy, ' I'm afeerd ye'll be mad at me ;
but Biddy b'iled the kittle fur tay wdd it — bad man-
lers to her that didn't know betther ! But it can't be
lelped. Anyhow, sure you had no bisness to have a
yun; you're too young, child, and 'ud only shoot yer-
^elf; so you ought to be thankful instead o' sorry.' I
piir mortal vexed, you bet, an' most of all when I
jtliort o' what Uncle Silas 'ud say when he found the
dU musket gone. But, as Paddy had said, it cudn't be
lielped ; an' so I went home sad enuff.

"Three days arter this, one mornin' at breakfast,
^ncle Silas says to me, ' Lucky fur you, Johnny,' says
be, 'that you're not like that sneakin' cuss, Pete Snig-
gers. He stole a gun somewheres, an' it busted an'
blowed the hull arm clean off him !' Wal, I a'most fell
Biuler the table. I felt green, white, an' red by turns ;
^n' only Uncle Silas wur a-pokin' down in his plate, he
liiust have smelt out I knowed somethin' about it. Arter

A BIT OF BIDDY'S MIND.

1 1'

:i •!

breakfast I skims over to Paddy the carpenter, an
hearin' a rinnpiis a-goin' on, I jest stopped at the (I(jor,
Biddy wur givin' Paddy a bit o' her mind. ' Yc're a
blaguard, that's what ye are,' I heerd lier a-yeilin', 'to
sell a gun that wasn't yours, and thin to say I burnuil
it under the kittle. It's only a mane blaguard 'ud do
the like. Why didn't ye tell the little nagur the oiiM
gun wasn't safe ? You'd sell yer ould sowl for a dollar
any day, let alone somebody else's, ye low, mane man.'
" I guess I didn't go in. I heerd enuff, an' seed how
the trail lay. I wur well quit o' the gun, though, that's
a fact. I reckon Pete didn't come loafin' round our
wood-shed agin lookin' fur guns. No ; that he didn't.'
Here the old hunter laughed heartily at this reminis-
cence of his juvenile days.

li II

boulders which si

CHAPTER III.

^OIKNEY RESUMED— THE FOREST— DTTKS — EAOLES — OSPREYS— NARROW ESCAPE
FROM INDIAXS— DEATH OF THE SAVAGES- MR. AND MISS FRAZER~,TAKE AND
THE YOUXQ LADY — A HALT — PIERRE "a GONE COON "—MISS FRAZKR'S SANG

fRoiD— OLD Jake's innuen'dos— pierue leaves the canoe— a forest

SCENE- A bear — PIERRE'S CONTEST WITH THE REAP— NIGHT IN THE FOREST
— WOIAES AND CARIBOO— PIERRE REJOINS HIS COMRADES.

)UR hunters now prepared to continue their journey.
riie canoe was carried to the river and launched ;
iaultier stepped in, and held on by a branch, while
J'ierre and Jake busied themselves in placing on board
the difterent articles of their outfit. This accomplished,
[these also took their places ; and Gaultier releasing his
lokl on the branch, the light boat, obedient to the dip
)f the paddles, shot out into the stream.

The freshet of the previous night had not yet run
[itself out, and the river still rushed swiftly down the
glen, bounding in long, smooth undulations where the
[water was deep over hidden rocks, and boiling in foam-
crested surges round boulders which projected here and
there above the surface. The navigation was therefore
lifficult, and in not a few spots even dangerous. A
light graze against the jagged edges of some of the
boulders which strewed the bed of the stream would

; i

A GLORIOUS MORN I NO.

Vi. I

I ■ *

hfivG torn a hole in tlio frail side of the canoe, ani]
sent its occupants to the bottom. Neither of the
youths, therefore, breathed freely until this portion of
the river was left behind, and until they au;'ain found
themselves floating on quiet water, which reflected the
dark shadows of the pines along the banks.

It was yet early morning, and the sun poured a
flood of light upon the forest, which here consisted
principally of coniferous trees. A resinous perfume
was wafted on the air, extracted from the pines by the
warmth of the sun. Ducks sprang with a quack and
a rush off' each successive reach of the river, as the
boat and its occupants became visible.

Several large birds were observed from time to time
over the summits of the trees, but swooped again out
of sight before the boys could obtain a shot. These
were bald-headed eagles, no doubt in pursuit of the
wild-fowl which abounded on the river. Ospreys cir-
cled high in air, eying the water below. Occasionally
one would close its wings and shoot downwards with
the velocity of an arrow, burying itself amid a clond
of spray in the river, from which it reappeared almost
invariably carrying a fish in its talons. Many of these
birds were at work along the river ; and that they kill
an immense number of fish the party had evidence, as
they rarely seemed to make a swoop in vain. Many
of them seemed to be fishing to supply their young,
as the boys observed several nests in the top branches
of pine trees wdiich stood close by the banks of the

i2'^'K

J^^'^^^.j^

^^9^%^'

OSPREY FISHING.

P"i:'-y;-

rivor. To the
birds, who, by
t meted the att
them to cat.
and, balanced
: seemed to vic\
.subdued intere:
result of a swo
tliey heard the
descent. Tliey
las osproys arc
liave not that ^
- species.

'Since Icavino'

[game, with the (

hvhich tantalize(

j canoe got near e

[cut some fcathc

[tliis species, at

[yards; but there

'Since entering

[vith tlie solitar;)

tiad secured. Tl

3nt botli in advi

^liey sailed alono

pile warm sunshii

^ossy banks and

|ilio shelter of th

I'cenness.

CSG)

FOREST CHARMS.

river. To these the fisli were convoyed by tlic paront-
hirds, wlio, by their hoarse cackling and croaking, at-
tracted the attention of their young ones, and incited
tliem to eat. Some of the birds had ceased to fisli,
and, balanced on the bare tops of dead pines, they
seemed to view the labours of their associates with
sulxlned interest — bending their necks to observe the
result of a swoop, or occasionally glancing upwards as
they heard the rushing sound made by a bird in its
descent. They did not pay much attention to the boat,
as ospreys are rarely molested by man, and henco
have not that dread of him which characterizes other
I species.

Since leaving the camp, the voyageurs had seen no
jg.anie, with the exception of the ducks and a few swans,
Kvhicli tantalized them by taking to wing before the
canoe got near enough for a shot. Pierre, indeed, had
lent some feathers from a trumpeter, a large bird of
[this species, at the distance of nearly four hundred
[yards; but there his success ended.

Since entering the Clearwater they had had no sport,
hvith the solitary exception of a deer which old Jake
lad secured. They therefore kept a very sharp look-
)ut both in advance and on either side the river as
tbey sailed along. The day was beautif.dly fine, and
the warm sunshine lighted up the woods, falling upon
iiossy banks and on thickets of young birches within
lie shelter of the forest, and enhancing their emerald
rcenness.

(78G) 3

% "

lii

i^f

inli: l!l

AN APrrioVh'f) PLAN.

Ov'orliCcad was a slcy of tlio dcopost blue, in \vliicli
floated a fi'W \'vj;]\t clouds, tliat Imrdly diiiiinod the sun
wlienover they interposed between liiiii and the earth.
Jt was one of tliosc days in tlie first half of sunniit r
when all nature seems hnoyant, and filled with glad-
ness at the departure of dark and sterile winter. The
air was delicioiisly warm ; and whenever a light hrcc/o
Llew from the forest, the hunters perceived the aro-
matic fragrance of the pines whose shadows darkonc'l
the water near the banks, and the serrated outlines of
whose summits wore relieved against the sky.

Tlie boat had now approached a bend in the stream
formed by a projecting tongue of land, which was
clothed to the point with a thick growth of firs. Pienv,
who had often journeyed by this route, cautioned the
party to have their rifles ready, as he considered it very
probable that several deer would bo seen feeding alon:,'
the banks of the next reach, which were bare of trees,

" I guess this coon knows a likelier trick than that,"
cried old Jake. " Jest let us land this side o' yonder
p'int, an' still-hunt the critturs from the cover of tlie
timber."

As this plan met the approval of Pierre and Gaul-
tier, the three hunters accordingly landed ; and ha\iiii:
secured the canoe, they looked to their rifles, and in
Indian file entered the forest. The distance across ih
promontory was not more than one hundred yards, ami
the trappers soon reached a position from which tiny
could obtain a Cfood view down the lower reach of tk

A STARTLTXa SPECTACLE.

rivor. Hero ft spectacle met their eyes ^vllielJ canseil
all throe to start.

Two pi'rsons sat by the veri^'c of the streain, on whlcli
floated a light birch canoe. One was a lady evidently
young, while her companion, a man of gentlemanly aji-
pearanco, seemed considerably her senior. The latter
was busied over a fire, at which lie appeared to be
cooking ; while the lady, engaged with her pencil, was
sketching the pretty view down the river.

'' Wal ! this is a caution, now it is!" exclaimed old
Jake. " Who'd a thort to see a 1»uck an' a doe like
tliat in this hyur location? But, thunder, fellurs ! do
CO SCO wliat ur a-gwine on bohint — at the edge o' the
tiuibor ? "

The boys, startled by the vehemence of the old
hunter's manner, looked in the direction indicated. At
first they wore unable to perceive anything ; but shortly
tliey observed two Indians crouching from bush to bush,
trailing their rifles, and evidently stalking the travellers,
who wore engrossed by their respective occupations, and
wholly unsuspicious of danger. That the intentions of
the two savages were liostilo was apparent from their
attempting secrecy in their approach ; and that they
would effect th.eir murderous purpose was also evident,
unless frustrated by the intervention of the trappers.
Tlie edge of the timber Avas about one hundred yards
from the river; but several bushes and 3'oung pines
grew here and there in the intervening space, and
aiforJed good cover for the lurking savages, who, when

(,'RKAT CoNSThllNA TIOX.

I.' !l'

tliey hail ffoi directly iHilnud tlicir iinsiispoftiiiL;" vic-
tims, availed of tlu'sc and crept swiftly from one to
tlio other.

They soon reached a position scarcely sixty yards
from the tire; and here they hent for\var<l with rillr^
cocked and ready, glarinrr upon their intended victims
like tigers coiiehed to sprini^.

They were now about ninety yards from where the
three trappers stood concealed, and from this position fi
clear view was obtainable of both the travellers and tlio
prowling savaj^^es.

"Now, young fellur's the time to show ycr shootin',"'
cried Jake to Pierre. " I guess old Phimcentre nr a
]>antin' to be let go at one of them red skunks. Do oc
take the fellur as is kneelin', an' I'll take t'othor'ii.
Now!"

At the word, the two rifles cracked toi^ ! her. Never
did a just Nemesis overtake criminals more oppor-
tunely. The savage at whom old Jake had fired leapLd
from the ground with a cry, and plunged heavily for-
ward, falling dead upon the body of his companion, \\\m
was shot through the brain.

The astonishment and consternation of the two trav-
ellers can hardly be described, when, at the reports of
the rifles, they started from their positions and first
saw the bodies of the Indians lying on the grass, an<l
then beheld the trappers advancing to them from the
cover of the woods. At first they seemed to apprehend
a fate for themselves similar to that which had over-

KXPLANA TIONS fllVHN,

taken the Tiuliun.s ; and, fillcil wltli tliis idea, tlu-y ran
towards tlio cjukx', into wliicli tlic gentleman lunulcd
liis conipanion, r. id Avas prcpariiiL,' to follow liiinsclt'
wluii Piorro called out, —

"Don't fi'ar, sir! wc are frit'iid.s."

"Ay," said old .lake, " we're tlie raid articles, I
niuss. ' A t'rien<l in need,' tliey say, ' is a, friend in-
deed;' and J reckon that's just what we nr."

The gentleman, however, seemed only hall' assured,
and looked uneasily towaids the hunters, who were
not now many yards from the boat.

"Don't be skeert, old lioss," said Jake; "though ye
iiiout 'a been, a leetle agone, if you'd knowed who wur
liL'hint yer. Dut I guess ye'rc safe emitrnow."

Pierre now explained what had occurred ; and when
the gentleman had recovered from his surprise, he ac-
companied Jake and Gaultier to the spot where the
bodies of the savages hay.

No sooner did the stranger see these than he ex-
claimed, —

"All! I know these fellows, and I see now what
prompted them to attack us. You m.ust know," he
continued, " that I am a chief trader in the Hudson
Pay Company's service, and these two Indians applied
to mo some time since for a further advance of goods
of one sort or another, while at the same time they
ivfused to pay for what they liad already got, notwith-
standing that they had had a good hunt and had plenty
of furs. Seeing that they could not obtain their ob-

iiilii

'. I:

•m

i'iill!!

27/^1 NKFUL A CKNO WLKDGl.: T^NTS.

ject, they became very insolent, and finally left the fort
threatening vengeance. They learned at the fort, I
suppose, that I was returning from one of the posts
with my daughter, and Aicj waylaid us as you saw."

Meanwhile Pierre was doing the amiable with tlio
yoinig lady, mIio thanked him with much warmth for
the great service he had rendered both her father and
herself. Pierre bashfully assured her that neither he
nor his companions were entitled to any gratitude, as
their intervention was solely the result of accident.

Jal^e now approached and received the thanks uf
Miss Frazer (for that was her name), with the man-
ner of one unused to speak to the other sex. His
awlcAvardness aftbrded much amusement to the two
youths, who, however, did not allow Jake to perceive
their merriment.

" Wal, ma'am," said the old trapper, " 'tain't much
of a sarvice to brag of, I guess. Them two skunks
meant mischief, sure ; but thur wa'n't much difficulty
in introjoocin' Pluivicentre hyur" (tapping his rifle) "to
the varmints. Ef it had been a couple o' grizzlies
now, thur mout 'a been something to talk about. Old
Eph'm's onkimmon tough — that he ur! and it'd been
pretty considerable o' a skrinunage afore theu went
under — that's a fact."

As it was now near mid-day, the trappers resolved
to halt ; and Gaultier was despatched for the canoe,
with which he soon returned. The whole party then
dined together, Pierre helping Miss Frazer to the dain-

'M (ioNE coon:'

tiest morsels M'itli groat gallantry. Mr. Frazer, on
learning that the trappers intended to pass Fort Pierre,
which was his post, cordially invited them to stay
there on a visit as long as they wished.

He was niiich astonished and pleased to find that
one of his new ae(|uaintances was the hero of the ad-
venture which bestowed the name of the fort as a
suhrlqtui on its bearer. Pierre modestly refused to
',dvc the particulars of the frd.cas. But old Jake had
no .such scruples, and gave an account of the aflair
which even Pierre failed to recognize, so filled was it
with the exaggerations and strange conceits peculiar
to the old hunter.

Miss Frazer listened with eager interest, and at the
conclusion fixed her eyes on the young trapper, who
bhislied crimson under the ordeal. It was evident,
even at that early stage of the acquaintance, that Pierre
was "a gone coon."

Chatting thus pleasantly together, the dinner hour
passed speedily. To persons living in civilized com-
munities it may seem strange that a young lady could
so soon forget the terrible event that had so recently
occurred, and take her dinner with apparent savg-froid
witliin view of the corpses of her would-be murderers.
But life in the wilderness soon strenij-thens the nerves,
and the most sensitive become callous to impressions
wliich seem a part of our nature. Perhaps it is as well
that it should be so. It by no means follows that
persons who can behold terrible scenes unmoved are

OLD JAKE'S INNUENDOS.

jiii

ill'

destitute of the better feelings of humanity. Tliesc
arc merely subdued, and arc only permitted to regain
the ascendency when it is proper they should do so.

After the travellers had linished their repast, Mr.
Frazer and his daULj-liter re-embarked in their caiiue,
and led the way down the river, the voyageurs some-
times floatinii' alonuside, and at other times followiii"'
close behind.

It was not a little remarkable that Pierre, who was
ordinarily rather reserved, now manifested great in-
terest in Miss Frazer's conversation. Old Jake once or
twice muttered something which discomposed the youni;,'
hunter considerably, and at which Gaultier laughud
heartily. As often as these sallies were repeated, Pierre
glanced uneasily towards Miss Frazer, to ascertain
Avhether the old hunter's jokes had been overheard;
and guessing by the unmoved expression of the young-
lady's face that she was unawij-e of the cause of the
mirth, he usually suffered the canoe to fall behind that
of the f^;trangers, wdien he rated Gaultier soundly for
the impropriety of his conduct. He was well aware
of the utter uselessncss of remonstrating with old
Jake. Indeed, to have done so would most probably
have led to an cwpose of the matter, of which Pierre
was by no means desirous.

This by -play seemed to give Jake exquisite delight;
and to Pierre's j:>'reat chagrin his allusions to " <j,one
coons," " gizzartls," and " squaws " became more pointed
and frequent. To put an end to this annoyance, Pierre,

AN ANGRY MAN.

v.lio stcoreil, (lirccted the canoe to tlic iiearesfc Ijaiik,
ainl taking iq) his ritlc he stepped ashore and phmged
into tlie woods.

Fur some time the yoiiiic'- hunter walked swiftlv for-
\\;ii(l, very mncli incensed against his companions, and
taking note neither oi tlie declining sun nor of tlio
(lii.ction in wliich he was going.

Descending a thickly wooded glen, he presently
found himself in a natural Lasin some hundred yards
across, quite free of timber, and covered with a thick
unjwtli of rich succulent grass. Through the serried
sunuiiits of the pines on the western baidc of this de-
pression the golden be;ims of the setting sun found
their way, and fell on a mossy knoll beneath the
brandies of a maple. Here Pierre threw himself on
the ground, and mused on the vexations to which he
had been sidijected.

With his reflections I do not propose to trouble my
readers, nor am I anxious to fix the proportions in
which the sweet and the bitter were mingled. After
lying nearly motionless for more tlian an hour, Pierre
at length rose and looked around. The sun had set
and twiliu'ht had fallen. The edges of the woods
looked dim and dark, and here and there a gray ti'unk
stood out, relieved against the mysterious shade of the
forest behind.

A .sudden sn.'ipping of twigs caught the lumter's ear,
and quietly cocking his ritle he gkuiced in the direction
of the .sound. At tirst nothinu' was visible; but .soon

\M4

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' '..I

jf Miiii! liili

' 1*

''i ' >

^ 7?Z:yliJ yliV^Z) //£'72 CUBS.

Pierre made out the figure of ca tall animal standing be-
tween two trees which grew very close together at one
end of the open space. After a careful inspection, he
perceived that it was a bear seated on its haunches, and
apparently engaged in taking a reconnaissance of the
intruder on its domains. For some moments the ani-
mal continued this inspection, and then, suddenly drop-
ping on all fours, advanced towards Pierre, uttering'
harsh snarling growls. The young hunter now for the
first time perceived that two smaller animals followed
close to the old one. It was evidently a female bear
and her cubs. The presence of the latter explained the
boldness of the parent. Usually the black bear avoids
man, and will only attack when obliged to do so in self-
defence. To this rule there are, of course, exceptions,
as temper varies in bears as Avell as in human beings.
In the rutting season, and when accompanied by its
young, the bear becomes very aggressive, and at these
seasons is a dangerous antagonist, if it can get to close
quarters with the hunter.

On the present occasion Pierre was w^ell aware that
he would have either to fight or to run ; and as he felt
it beneath his manhood to retreat, he braced his nerves
for the encounter.

The twilight had thickened considerably, and a
dusky gloom, which seemed to advance from the sur-
rounding forest, rendered objects indistinct at a few
yards' distance. Pierre, however, advanced towards
his assailant, whose attention was somewhat divided

THE ENCOUNTER.

lietween her rising anger against the hunter and her
maternal solicitude for the safety of her progeny. She
would rush forward a few steps, showing her teeth and
fiowlinLi: ferociously; and then, turning to her cubs, she
would cipparently endeavour to induce them to retreat
to the shelter of the woods, accompanying them a little
way herself. She would then suddenly turn round,
and bound forward towards Pierre, uttering savage
snarls. The dim light, combined with the quick move-
ments of the beast and her dark colour, which rendered
hi-r extremely indistinct, prevented Pierre from taking
a certain aim.

He therefore advanced quickly with his rifle at his
shoulder, with the intention of firing at close quarters,
and ending the contest with one shot. The bear,
nothing daunted by the boldness of the hunter, rushed
to meet him. Pierre took a hasty aim and pulled the
trigger. No report followed. Before he could throw
down the lever of his rifle the savai^e beast was on
I him. With a blow of its paw it sent the rifle flying
from the hunter's grasp, and immediately closed with
j him, hardly giving him time to draw his knife !

Embraced in a deadly hug, with the shining teeth
[of the monster at his face, Pierre gave himself up for
lost. Ho did not, however, lose his presence of mind,
I but fought madly on, plunging his knife into the side
of his antagonist, and trying to keep his feet. Sud-
denly ho stumbled over a root, and in a moment lay
on his back with the bear above, its eyes glaring into

,1 ■"
i:

- 1

AFTER THE VICTuRY.

ll:

his, and its fetid brcatli pouring Lot on his face. A
sensation of weakness overpowered the hunter, oljjccts
swam before his eyes, and he fainted.

How long he lay in this state he never ascertaiiieil,
When he regained conscionsncss he found hiiii.sLlf
where he had fallen. At a little distance he coiiM
perceive the bear, apparently dead, while round its
carcass snuffed and gambolled tl\e two young ones.

On endeavouring to rise, lie was glad to tind that
no bones were broken; but a feeling of numljiiess
rendered his limbs almost powerless, so that he was
obliged to crawl towards the dead animal.

The young bears growled loudly ; but the hunter
cared little for these manifestations of anger, and
continued his approach. The animals then Vv^ithdiow
to the slielter of the forest, where they gave evidence
of their presence by an occasional low moan ; probably
a call to their mother, whose death they had not yet
realized.

On examining the body, which was still quite warm,
Pierre perceived that blood trickled from a deejD knife-
wound behind the shoulder. This was probably the
fatal stab which had rescued him from almost certain
death.

The moon was now just sinking behind the west-
ern forest, and cast her pale light on the stems of the
trees at the eastern edges of the opening. Dense
shadow veiled all bevond ; and against the sonilne .
backuround the truidvs of the birches showed ghostly

THE HUNTED rARIBOO.

kvliito, wliilo not a sound Lroko the intense stillness
of the forest. A few stars twinkled here and there
ainoii"- the belts of cloud that stretched across the sky,
and looked wan and pale through a thin white mist
wliicli overspread the opening.

The night was chill, and Pierre shivered with cold.
With some difficulty — for he was still somewhat stiff
from the effects of his encounter — ho managed to reach
the forest, and soon collecte<.l a large pile of dry
l)rushwood. This he lighted, having fortunately some
matches in his pocket. He then produced his pipe,
and, seated on a log near the tire, he mused on the
events of the day. He pictured to himself Jake and
Gaiiltier at their camp fire, and their uneasiness at
his absence. He thought of Mr. Frazer and liis
(lann'hter. Would f<J(e also be uneasy at his dis-
appearance ? Ho tried to answer this f[uestion in the
affirmative.

Feeling hungry, he helped himself to some slices of
the bear, and broiled them over the coals. While thus
engaged, his attention was arrested by hearing the rush
of some animal behind him ; and turning quickly, he
beheld in the dim liu'ht a noble cariboo buck dash-
uvy across the o-ladc, while hard at his heels raced
several grayish animals, their mouths lolling open and
their teeth gleaming white, as they came within the
light of thic fire. These Pierre recognized at a glance
as the fierce white wolves of the northern forests.
Their bushy tails were stretched out straight as they

A LUCKY SHOT.

iiilr

galloped with a speed tliat seemed unearthly in pursuit
of their prey.

Evidently they did not perceive the lire until tlioy
were close to it, so engrossed were they in the cliase.
With a simultaneous rush they swerved aside, but still
continued the pursuit. The buck had already disap-
peared, and Pierre, seizing his rifle, dropped the last
wolf by a lucky shot, the animal turning a com})lL'te
somersault with the impetus of its motion.

The shot, however, was not immediately fatal, and
as Pierre approached, the disabled beast bared its gleani-
inof teeth and tried to rush at him. Its back hail
been broken by the bullet, and finding itself uuaLle
to stand, it tried to drag itself into the woods. But
Pierre turned it over dead on the spot with a bullet
through the brain. He then dragged it to the fire,
where he occupied himself after his supper of liear-
steaks in removinq; the handsome skin, which he used
for a blanket, having neglected to bring his " fiv^e-point
mackinaw" from the canoe. Before turnino; in for the
night, the young hunter piled up an immense fire ; and
then di-awing his wolfskin over him, he lay down with
his feet towards the cjlowinfj coals, and soon fell into a
doze.

Although it was now well advanced in the summer,
the night was raw and cold ; and notwithstanding the
great embers, which blazed brightly whenever a breeze
M'akcd them up, Pierre shivered in his sleep, A sen-
sation of fear oppressed him ; and, full of the conscious-

DANtiEROUS COMPANY.

noss of imponding danger, lie suddenly awoke with a
cry and looked around. Tlic moon liad gone down
buliiiid the forest, and objects in the open space were
scarcely discernible by the f(;eblu light of the stars,
^vllich were veiled behind a whitish vapour.

The rire had burned low, and threw a (hdl glow upon
the trunks of the trees in its immediate vicinity, leaving
all licyoiid wrapped in the unfathomable gloom of the
woods. An armful of'brusli soon caused the fire to blaze
up brightly; and by its liglit Pierre saw at a little dis-
tance five dusky gray forms which lie knew to bo
wolves — probably those which had passed in pursuit of
the cariboo. Failing to overtake their quarry, they
had returned to the camp; attracted, most likely, by the
hody of the bear, as also, perhaps, by that of their com-
panion, both which lay at a short distance from the fire.

At the sight of tlie freshly-kindled blaze they slunk
out of view behind some bushes ere the hunter could
seize his rifle. It M'as probably the consciousness of
the presence of those dangerous animals which ren-
dered Pierre's sleep broken, and impressed him with
an r.ndefinod sense of peril. Strange that our dor-
mant faculties should be influenced bv intangible im-
pressions from without, which in our w^aking moments
niipht fail to secure our attention !

He did not again venture to sleep, but kept up a
good fh'c, at which he sat, having his rifle in readi-
ness, while his eye constantly sought the spot where ho
had seen the wolves disappear.

\ M

A CLAD nKUNION.

I'll
llllM'i

.::;iiiii!i:

liiiii'

• T'ill

•\ .;; i

Towards iiiornin;L;", t'<itiLC'io(l \\\i\\ \vatchii\[,^ the liiiiui r
took his ritle and left tlie camp witli the iiitcntiun nf
roacliing the river and r('j(jinii\i,^ lils compaiilons. Ilr
walked quietly down the glade, and just as he was eutt'i-
in<? the woods at the farther end he n'lanced hack. \\\v\
perceived that the wolves, emboldened by his depnituiv,
had emerged from their retreat, and were already lop-
ino; and snarl in iij round the carcasses.

Not caring' to shoot another, he pushed forward a>
well as the darkness and the dilliculties of the path
would permit. In an hour he struck the river -^nil
followed its course, hoping soon to come witiiin viiw
of the camp-tire of his comrades.

He had not proceeded far when his quick ear de-
tected the approach of a canoe by the dipping of tlic
paddles, while he could also hear the occupants ci^ii-
versing in low tones. Presently the Itoat shot into
view, and he was delighted to find the paddlers weiv
old Jake and Gaultier, who had become uneasy at his
prolonged absence, and were now in search of him.
Pierre stepped into the canoe, and while Jake and
Gaultier paddled back to their camp, he gave thein an
account of his adventures since he had left them. Ho
was afraid to ask if Miss Frazer and her father were at
the camp ; but on his arrival there he was much disap-
pointed to find that they had continued their journey
to the fort, having been nu^t by a bateau manned hy
French half-breeds, which had been despatched to meet
them.

OLD JAKE AGAIN.

He therefore made no remark ; althounrh old Jake,
who ohscrvetl his crest-fallen manner, smiled grimly
and said, —

"I ffuess I feels kinder lonesome now arter the
trader and his daurter. I calc'late she thinks hersell
some pumpkins, and thinks fellurs like us of no ac-
count."

Pierre did not reply, but lay down to snatch some
sleep hefore day, the advent of which was already her-
alded by the distant howling of the wolves.

(786)

CHAPTER IV.

TIIK FORKS OF THE ATHAnAHCA — SWANS — BEAnS — WILIJFOWL— VAUIKTI KS fiF
OUCKH— llAddEU KORKHT ON TUF. CLF.AKWATKIl — FOllEST ON THE ATIIAIIASCA
— IMPENETRABLE COVER — MOOSE — riEllRE's STALK — CURSIJIT OF HIE
WOUNDED MOOWK— TABLES XUUNED — "tUEED"— TREE OVERTURNED— lAVEU
BY OLD JAKE.

i;i:

In a day or two the party approached the junction of
the Clearwater with the Atlmbasca. This spot is called
the Forks. Birds of many species peopled the woods
alon^^ the banks; and the Athabasca itself was thronged
with flocks of ducks and swans of several kinds. This
river may be considered as forming the head-waters of
the Mackenzie, which it joins after leaving the Great
Slave Lake, into which it flows, under the name of
th.e Slave River.

Many islands, covered with forest, studded the ample
bosom of the stream ; and amidst these the hunters had
many opportunities of trying their rifles at the trum-
peter swans, which they surprised within range by
suddenly rounding the wooded promontories which
aflbrdcd cover for approach.

Bears, too, were sometimes seen, especially early in
the morning, when the party observed them wandering

WILDFOWL.

by tlic c(]oc^ of tlio forest, into wliicli tliey vctrcatcMl at
sii^lit of the hcrK

Amonyst tilt' wiMfowl porliaps tlio most miniorous
wtTo tlic Avil<l <^"<'<'.sc, of wliic'li iiicrcHlihle ihmuIkts
{umnally migrate within the Arctic Circle to breed.
OF these thoy noticed several H^iecies ; — snow-gccsc, so
called from tlie snowy wliitencss of their pluma^'e;
brent-i(eese, tlie most common kind in Cfinada ; liar-
nacle and Kaiighin!:,'-geeso were very numerons ; and at
every meal tlie hunters feasted on these birds, until
they became satiated and anxious for •> change of food.

The Indians shoot, snare, and trnp innnense nundjers
of ducks, geese, and swans, during the bi-annual migra-
tions. Indeed these peoph^ would probably starve at
certain periods of the year, if they were deprived by
any cause of the means of subsistence afforded by the
wildfowl. Deer and other animals are often scarce,
ami not to be depended on for a livelihood ; but
twice in the year the ducks, swans, and geese arrive
in countless flights, and at these times the natives
revel in the midst of plenty. With characteristic
thoughtlessness they do not make provision from this
bountiful supply for the season of scarcity. Hence,
during the intensely severe winters the}' are frequently
in a state of absolute starvation, and are sometimes
reduced to the horrible extremity of preying on each
other, as we have elsewhere observed.

Among the ducks the youths observed considerable
variety of species. Some, and these were the least

ii^;ii

■ 111..1;

A GOODLY PILE.

vmii

numerous, were distinguished by red eyes, greeni.sh-
black mandibles of a nearly straight form, and a
pepper-and-salt coloured plumage. These were the
famous canvas -back ducks, the delicacy of Avliose
flavour is supposed to surpass that of all other water-
fowl. Others nearly resembling these, differing only
in having orange-yellow eyes and concave bluish bills,
they recognized as red heads. Besides these there
were wood-ducks; king-ducks, so called from tlir"v-
^,. ' ' plumage; harlequin ducks; whistlers, named
from the wliistling sound made in their rapid flight;
shovellers, from the shape of their mandibles ; squaw-
ducks, or old-wives — a term derived from the almost
ceaseless clamour which these birds keep up ; and
many other kinds.

There are no less than eighteen different species of
ducks in the American waters; but it is a question if
some of these are not identical v.dtli others differently
classified, merely varjnng in some trivial particulai'
which can hardly be held to constitute a difference of
species.

The swans were carefully skinned by the hunters at
each camp by the way ; and such were the numbers
in which they met these birds that they soon collected
a goodly pile of the handsome "pelts," which tliey
readily disposed of at the fort on the Forks of the
Athabasca.

During their descent of the Clearwater, the youths
remarked the ragged air which generally characterizes

SCENERY OF THE ATHABASCA.

the forest along that river. On the Athabasca, how-
ever, the woods presented a marked contrast. Trees
of gigantic size were frequent along- the banks. There
were white spruces, which in this region often reach
an altitude of one hundred and fifty feet, and attain a
diameter of from three to four feet. Tlie woods were
dense and luxuriant, and in many places waved their
branches over the waters, utlbrding a grateful sliade
from the mid-day sun. Our hunters were hospitably
entertained at the fort at the junction of the Clear-
water with the Athabasca, and here they revelled in
unwonted plenty.

For many a day they had not tasted anything more
palatable than deer's flesh scorched over the coals, or
the monotonous diet of duck, swan, and goose. Here,
liowever, they feasted to their hearts' content on deli-
cious moose venison, the succulent " mouffle " being the
most relished part of the animal ; on tender steaks from
the wood buffalo ; and on what they valued even more,
delicious vegetables from the garden attached to the
fort.

From this land of plenty they were loath to depart ;
but at length they tore themselves away, and once more
floated down the beautiful river.

Long reaches, enclosed between high forest -clad
hanks, extended before them ; the ample bosom of
the stream, here some six hundred yards in breadth,
being .studded with numerous islands, against whose
shores the mighty flood breasted with a rushing sound.

i'-.;i :;ili!i

IN THE FOREST.

'W.

Sometimes the liigh banks gtavo place to the level
plain, and from the soft clay verge came the smell of
tar, as if the soil were impregnated with some bitumi-
nous substance.

On the fourtli day after leaving the fort the hunters
determined to camp for a few days by the river.
Moose were reported to be tolerably numerous in this
quarter, and the woodland cariboo were said to exist
in large bands. A hut was speedily constructed of
fir boughs, and the baggage safely stowed within. The
canoe was placed, bottom up, by the edge of the stream ;
and the seams, which had begun to leak a little, were
well calked with the resin of the epinette, or spruce
tree.

Early on the following day Jake and Pierre shoul-
dered their rifles and entered the woods, leaving Gaul-
tier in charge of the camp. The two hunters, however,
did not mean to hunt in company. By separating
they would cover much more ground, and thus have a
better chance of meetinn; with o-ame. Jake took the
forest lying down stream from the camp, while Pierre
took that above. We will accompany the latter.

For some time the young trapper walked swiftly for-
ward, threading his way amoi;g the columnar trunks
of white spruce, and creeping through the denser
underbrush of young tir woods which had sprung
up where the older growth had been cleared out by
a forest lire or a hurricane.

At these places the ground was so encumbered by

trees lying i
and so inte:
plants, toget
made by the
tano'led mas,'
to advance,
heard anima
which he coi
catch even f
was the scree

At length,
tangled wooc
tive ease am
noticed track
to be those c
kind of game

Light was
judging that
keeping hims
verge of the ■
north and ea;
tance by a fr:
along the boi
there more or

Across this
and poplars, w
Pierre well kn
guessed that i:
the likeliest p

ALMOST IMPENETRABLE.

trees lying at every conceivable angle to each other,
and so interlaced with matted twigs and trailing
plants, together with the almost impenetrable cover
made by the young pines that grew up amidst the
tangled mass, that Pierre found it almost impossible
to advance. Several times behind the thick cover he
hear'l animals breaking away, alarmed at the noise
which he could not avoid making. But he failed to
catch even a momentary glimpse of them, so thick
was the screen of branches.

At length, hot and breathless, he emerged from these
tangled woods, and once more walked with compara-
tive ease amid the open forest. Here and there he
noticed tracks of deer, which froui fheir size he knew
to be those of moose, but as yet he had not seen any
kind of game since leaving the camp.

Light was shining through the trees ahead, and
judging that here lay a prairie he advanced cautiously,
keeping himself well screened from view. From the
verge of the woods he saw a level plateau stretching
north and east for a mile or two, backed in the dis-
tance by a fringe of trees which extended irregularly
along the boundaries of the plain, and were here and
there more or less thickly dotted over its surface.

Across this small prairie stretched a line of willows
and poplars, with an occasional maple. Behind these
Pierre well knew that a stream existed ; and he further
guessed that if moose frequented these woods, this was
the likeliest place to find them.

\ !

A PLEASANT SURPRISE.

The willows grew densely, and offered a secure
shelter from wdiich to view the plain beyond, and
which effectually concealed the hunter's approach from
the gaze of every animal in that direction. Quietly
separating the branches, Pierre pushed noiselessly
through them, and shortly came upon the banks of
a narrow stream whose dark waters flowed sluggishly
between high clayey banks. Water-lilies dotted its
surface in great profusion ; and in several places the
hunter noticed that these were much displaced, having
been dragged from their hold in the soft bottom and
left lying in tangled masses on the surface.

Where the opposite bank dipped down to the stream,
affording access to the water, the earth was ploughed
by many tracks, some of them so fresh that the
water was still actually filling the impressions. Just
below this spot the stream made a bend, and on gaining
a position from which he could view the lower reach,
Pierre was startled to perceive three huge animals
immersed in the water, and tossinjf above its ao-itated
surface their immense antlers as they shook the flies
from their heads. Another of the same species browsed
off the tender shoots of the willows which projected
over the stream from the bank.

In an instant Pierre crouched out of sight, and pre-
pared to approach. Fortunately the wind was in the
right direction; and keeping well out of view, the
young trapper stealthily reached a spot from which
he had made up his mind to fire.

The ground
rotten sticks, t
the incautious
game. Pierre
stealth of an
had the satisfa
M-hich he had

Peering cau
branches of thi
the same positi
lie had noticed
That animal In
late upon this
antlers among

The huge b(
to their necks i
a head, or twit
the flies which
immense beast
immersed to hi;
of scarcely fifty
ately selected i
his rifle to fire.

The breeze,
proach, now ed<
treacherous wir
In an instant i
towards the ba
derings, throwii

PREPARING TO FIRE.

The ground was soft and much encumbered with
rotten sticks, the cracking of any one of which beneath
the incautious foot would at once startle the wary
o-arae. Pierre, however, advanced with the noiseless
stealth of an Indian, and in a very few minutes he
had the satisfaction of finding himself behind the bush
which he had marked as his final cover.

Peering cautiously througli the shimmering, waving
branches of the willows, he could see the moose still in
the same position, with the exception of the one which
he had noticed browsing on the bushes along the bank.
That animal had vanished. The hunter did not specu-
late upon this, but singled out the largest head and
antlers among the others as his trophy.

The huge beasts had ceased to feed, and stood up
to their necks in the cool element, occasionally shaking
a head, or twitching an ear, as they were annoyed by
the flies which continually torment the Cervidiu. One
immense beast towered above his comrades and stood
immersed to his throat, facing the hunter at a distance
of scarcely fifty yards. This individual Pierre immedi-
ately selected as his victim, and he accordingly raised
his rifle to fire.

The breeze, which had hitherto befriended his ap-
proach, now eddied round suddenly, and bore upon its
treacherous wings the taint of the trapper's presence.
In an instant the apparently unwieldy beasts plunged
towards the bank with mighty splashings and floun-
derings, throwing? showers of mud and water hio;h into

A GOOD SPLASHING.

Ill

it i

the air. The swaying to and fro of the tliickly-leavcd
branches prevented Pierre from getting a sure aim;
but just as the monarch of the band reached the
farther bank he pressed the trigger.

With a tremendous bound the animal acknowledged
the shot, but there the hunter's success seemed to end.
A thick fringe of bushes concealed the moose from view,
and throui^h this Pierre could hear them crashinrj as
they rushed from the scene of danger.

To cross the deep canal-like brook and follow the
game was now the difficulty. After a short search,
however, the hunter came to a place where a projection
of the bank narrowed the stream considerably. Making
a desperate leap from this vantage-ground, Pierre nearly
landed on the opposite side. Luckily the water was
not here more than three feet in depth, so the himter
escaped with a good splashing.

Climbing up the bank he soon gained the open
plain beyond the willows, and at its farther verge he
saw two moose making for the woods in a long swing-
ing trot, while the third animal, that at which he had
fired, lagged far behind, and sometimes came to a halt
altogether.

With a cry of delight the youth ran forward, and
soon gained considerably on the moose, who, finding
escape hopeless, came to a standstill and faced round
suddenly, licking his lips viciously, while his eye
seemed to flash with fiery anger. Pierre could now
see that his bullet had entered the animal's side too

far Ijack to
a stream of

Nut wish
niidable an
yards from 1
\\'ay, and to(
the .shot, so
wouh.l declai
at the juncti
pierce the he

xis the sm
the moose sti
But, stung tc
huge animal
licfure the hi
distance that

Pierre att(
found to his '.
to become en
hist in his r:
tridge from '
sprang at hi
himself witli
antlers sent
and dufenceL
unequal cont(

Fortunate!

vented it frc
Pierre to deai

AN UNEQUAL CONTENT.

fill' back to l)C immediately fatal. From the wound
a stream of blood still poured.

Not wishing to come to close quarters with so for-
midable an antagonist, Pierre halted at some twenty
yards from his victim. He raised his rifle in a leisurely
way, and took aim. He would have staked his life on
the shot, so certain did he feel that the next moment
would declare him the victor. He directed his bullet
at the junction of the throat with the chest, hoping to
pierce the heart or lungs.

As the smoke floated aside he fully expected to see
the moose struggling in its death agonies on the ground.
But, stung to madness with the pain of its wounds, the
huge animal summoned all its remaining strength, and
lieforo the hunter could spring aside it had cleared the
distance that intervened between them.

Pierre attempted to insert another cartridge, and
found to his horror that he had allowed the magazine
to become empty. The shot he had just fired was the
last in his rifle. Before he could extract a fresh car-
tvidgc from his pouch, the moose with frantic energy
sprang at him. In vain Pierre attempted to defend
himself with his rifle. A toss from the ponderous
antlers sent it flying to the distance of several yards ;
and defenceless and alone the hunter had to face the
unequal contest.

Fortunately the crippled condition of the moose pre-
vented it from at once ending the strife by tram})ling
Pierre to death. But such was its activity, despite its

LOOKING FOB SHELTER.

(lisal)led condition, tliat it was only by the exercise of
the fullest agility that Pierre coiikl save himself fi'(jiu
the infuriated animal, which twisted, turned, and
charged with great rapidity.

At this juncture the hunter glanced hurriedly round
in search of a tree which might afford him suine
security. But not one was near enough, with the
exception of a thin, tall poplar. This grew not more
than one hundred yards from the spot. If he could
but reach it ! the hunter thought that if once anioiiL;'
its branches he would be safe — for the present, at
all events. This reflection scarcely occupied him an
instant, and he at once prepared to carry it out. The
moose just at this moment stood between Pierre and
the tree, but this Avas exactly what the young trapper
desired. The beast made a sudden rush forward.
Pierre nimbly stepped aside from the animal's path,
and before it could wheel to renew the attack tlie
hunter made for the friendly shelter of the tree at his
best pace.

With a snort of ranje the awkward, lonc^-leir^'ed
animal turned to pursue. Never did Pierre make
such use of his legs. Fortunately for him the race
was short, or he never would have survived the adven-
ture. As a rule, the moose is a wary, timid creature,
flying from danger on the slightest intimation of its
proximity. But when wounded and followed, it will
frequently cast aside all idea of further flight, and then
it fights with the malignant desperation of a demon.

Luckily for (
ning to tell or
reach the tree i
which grew soi
moose with a r

Panting witl
of his morninn
tree, which ind
carious sanctur
latter try to o
and bent benea
.self upward, w
one side.

Apparently t
plunging rounc
broad forehead
a^jainst it. A
result of this m

Fearful of t!
animal succeed
Pierre descende
oured to distrac
task. In his fi
and knife whicl
fallen from his
up. He was the
moose, in no wa
the poplar, hor
elastic tree swa

COMPLETELY DEFENCELESS.

Luckily for our hunter, his last shot was now bcgin-
nin"' to tell on his antagonist, so that he was able to
reach the tree in time to swing himself upon a branch
which grew some ten feet from the ground, just as the
moose witli a rush passed beneath.

Pantini:; with his exertions, and vexed at the result
of his morning's hunt, Pierre climbed higher into the
tree, which indeed was so slight as to afford but pre-
carious sanctuary from his powerful foe, should the
latter try to overturn it. The branches were weak,
and bent beneath his weight as he carefully drew him-
self upward, while the tree itself inclined slightly to
one side.

Apparently the moose perceived this ; for instead of
plunging round and round below, it now applied its
broad forehead to the slender trunk, and pushed heavily
against it. A further inclination of the tree was the
result of this manoeuvre.

Fearful of the consequences, should the infuriated
animal succeed in overturning his place of refuge,
Pierre descended to the lower branches, and endeav-
oured to distract the attention of the moose from his
task. In his first scuffle with the animal, his revolver
and knife which he usually carried about with him had
fallen from his belt, and he had not time to pick them
up. He was therefore now completely defenceless. The
moose, in no way distracted from his efforts to uproot
the poplar, horned and pushed so violently that the
elastic tree swayed to and fro, and if the hunter had

OPPORTUNE ASSISTANCE.

:il I

1 i;

ill!'

not ti^btly grasped the br.ancl^es he would have l)ocn
quickly shaken from his perch. '

]3ackincf from the trunk, the maddened beast suil- '
denly

ith all

force

rushed ac^ainst it
command; and with a loud crack several roots hurst
and sliot above the earth. The tree now IcninMl
seriously to ore side, and encouraged by this success
the moose afjain changed, tearin2j oil' tlie bark by the
force of the concussion. Pierre with terror perceived
that the troe was yielding to the pressure, and before
he could resolve on wdiat course of action he should
next pursue, the remaining roots gave way one by one,
and the tree fell to the ground.

With a cry of horror the young hunter gave himself
up for lost. The moose sprang forward to the attack :
but at that instant the sharp crack of a rifle was heard,
and with a mighty bound the huge beast plunged for-
ward to the earth, ploughing up the turf with its
ponderous antlers. It was old Jake who had so
opportunely come to his comrade's assistance.

Pierre quickly disentangled himself from the branches,
and stood over the still quivering carcass of his late
antagonist.

" Jehoshaphat ! " exclaimed the old trapper, coming
forward. " I guess old Plumcentre air yer providence,
young fellur. Ef I hadn't put in my say, you'd a gone
under — you would this hyur day, as sure as beaver
medicine."

Pierre expressed his sense of obligation, which the

queer old folio
" yer ain't a-ta
In the woods
about it. Coil
to raise your i

So saying,
knife, and so
upper 'Ip of
8(icJ'. Meantiii
them the two
turned to can
much meat a?
pended to a pc
position the h
scare-wolf.

When they
Gaultier had i
lay upon the
fire, the youn:
white-fish, wh
morning the j:
his bonne hou
high good hui
done anything
his appetite on
the youths his

" Whv," said
nor shot anytl

Wagh

FEASTING ROYALLY.

\ i

queer old I'dlow would not listen to. " Wagh !" cried ho,
"ycr ain't a-talkin' to a tenderfoot from the settlements.
In tho woods we all helps another, an' no blessed muss
{ihout it. Come, old coon," he continued, " I'm a-gwine
to raise your nose for breakfast."

So saying, the old trapper unsheathed his shining
knife, and separated the " moufflc," or overhanging
upper 'ip of the moose, and placed it in his poHs'ihle
sack Meantime Pierre recovered his arms, and between
them the two trappers butchered the carcass and re-
turned to camp, staggering under the weight of as
much meat as they could carry. The hide was sus-
pended to a pole cut from the ill-fated poplar; in which
position the hunters hoped it would act as a sufficient
scare -wolf.

When they arrived at the camp, they found that
Gaultier had not been idle. A glittering pile of fish
lay upon the bank ; and jusf/ as they approached the
fire, the young hunter drew in a large tittameg, or
white-fish, which he threw amonn; the others. That
morning the party feasted royally. Old Jake shared
his bonne houche with his companions ; and being in
liigh good humour, as he ordinarily was when he had
clone anything unusual, or whenever he was satisfying
his appetite on favourite viands, he volunteered to tell
the youths his own morning adventures.

" Why," said Pierre, *' I thought you had neither seeij
nor shot anything to-day — except the moose of cours'3."

" Wagh !" exclaimed the trapper, "your tongue WLgs

A WORD TO HUNTERS.

1 1

faster nor a beaver's tail in flood time ! I guess now
cf it had been you instead ot this chihl, we'd all on us
a liecrd tell what ye'd done fast cnuft'. There's two
things," he continued, " a hunter shud never do. One
is, to boast o' what he's done ; and t'other is, to stir a
yard arter firin' without loadin' his rifle. Them two
things gets a fellur into wuss musses than a'most any-
thing else — leastways in these hyur diggin's."

Pierre, abashed, said nothing ; nor did lie remark on
the apparent inconsistency of the old hunter's cc'idiict
in condemning boasting, when in fact the one tliinj:;
Jake did best was boasting — if wc except shooting, of
which he certainly was a master.

While the moose steaks hissed on the embers, and
were swiftly vanishing before the lusty appetites of the
party, old Jake employed his oracular mouth in the
intervals of eating with an account of the following
adventure.

urn JAKrs advfnt

TIIK Id )( KM— SI
t'AVK TIIK (OH
KLOOUtM)— NKIII

" Wal, now, 1
make yersells
ish mules tha
ain't a-gwine i
mean about oh
wo three fellu
I hid my plui
whur I partec
Pierre, who noi
down the rivei
wliicli jined t
land about th(
kivered with t"
I noticed that
they got to b(
drew back frc
'ceptin' hyur a
among the doni

(786)

uiiAn'Ei; V.

(ID .TAKF's APVEVTITIIE— AV INDIAN'm PKATII-- TOE CAVK — 01,0 JAKE Sf'Ar.EH
TIMJ lUICKS — STOItK OP FUrtM — JAKK'S Sin'KUSTITIuN — SET Ol'T KOIl Till'.
CAVK - TIIK COIM'ME— Vlir,TMti:s- KXAMIMNd THE Kl'KS— SToUM— Til K LKKKK
FLOODED— NKIIIT IN TllK (AVE— INDIANS VersUH SKTTLEUH.

"Wal, now, boyeos," said the old fellow, "you niii,dit
make yersells rich bettin' rotten pumpkins agin Span-
ish mules that I have made a 'raise' this mornin'. I
ain't a-gwino to liidc my luck. No ; thur ain't nothin'
moan about old Jake Hawken — that thur ain't. I cuess
we three fellurs trap on shares, an it'd be raal mean ef
I hid my plunder an' kep' it to meself. — Ye rcc'lects
wliur I parted from you?" he continued, turning to
PioiTO, who nodded in the affirmative. " Wal, I turned
down the river a bit, till I kem to the mouth o' a crick
which jincd the Athabasca from the west'ard. The
land about the mouth of this crick wur low, and M'ur
kivcred with thunderin' big trees, white spruce at that.
I noticed that the banks riz a leetle up the crick, until
they got to be like bluffs a'most. Hyur the timmer
drew back from the edge, an' the rocks wur bare,
coptin' hyur and thur, whur an odd pine or two grew

among the donnicks. I wur jest a-thinkin' whether I'd
(7m) 5

OLD JAKE'S A1>VENTUnE.

'iiii

III

tuni up tlio crick, or wade it and keep l)y tlic iuimii
river, wlieri I ii()ticc(l in tltc soft hank tlic fresli tj'aeks
()' a moccasin. ] knowcd well cinill' 'twur a luMlskin
made 'cm, an' 1 skimicd my eyes, ye may bet lii^li, ti>
get a q-limp o' the crittur. Now, boyees, don't you
think 1 hankered arter that Injun's scalp. No! I've
gev u}") that sort o' bisness sin' last year, when I not to
sec how sinful an' kicked it wur to kill our kind.
But this child took a notion that mebbe that thur llrd-
kin wurn't Christianized, an' mout take a fancy to my
old top-knot to fringe his leg-gin's with. So I jest kep'
my old peepers alive, and foUered the trail, whicli wur
plain to be seed as Chind)ly Rock. I warn't long in
kununin to whur the cri(\' canoncd through the rocks,
and hyur I noticed the sign led into the water, wlii' li
washed clost up to the face o' the bluffs. The banlvs
kep' on risin' higher an' higher, an' soon they a'nio^st
closed up a couple o' hundred feet overhead. 'Twiir
mighty bad walkin', fellurs, I kin tell ycr. The water
wur strong, an' in places wur deep enufF a'most to lloat
this iiiggur off his legs. Wal, I wur wonderin' wliat'n
thunder cud 'a brought that Redskin up sich a horrible
gulch, whur thur warn't light enuff to squint through
hindsights, when, jest as I made a bend in the crick,
what shed I see but that Injun 'ithin a hundred yards
o' me, climbin' up the bluff like a wild-cat torst a hole
I noticed under a rocky ledge sixty feet above the
water.

" I guess I drew back out o' sight, and watched what

win* a-gwin

rcck'ii, to cl

a rest every

"The clifl

twice I tlioi

the crick. .

agin wiiich

guessed he'd

time. I wui

and hardly b

" I noticed

torst this the

claws upon i

hand over lia

he brought hi

the rope bra

hecrd above

rocks at the f

" Wal, I a'n

poor critter f

hini out o' the

keni from hi.'

able to say, ' \

Paleface can I

••^n' he slippec

^traddlebug.

" Wal, I wi
doubt he had
up al)ove, an' ^

POOR lil'JDSKfN.

wiir a-,C!fwiiio to liappen. It wur plaguy liaid work, J.
rcckn, to climb up whur the Injun wur. He tuck
a rest every few minutes, and then hej^^an agin.

"The clifF wur well-nigh perpendic'lur, an' once or
twice I thort he'd lose his balance and fall back into
the crick. Jest below him wur a pile o' big stones,
agin which the water rushed. Et" lie fell on them I
guessed he'd be a gone coon in a quarter less'n no
time. I wur mighty cur'ous to see what lie wur up to,
and hardly In'eathed for fear I'd lose a single bit of it.

" I noticed a line hangin' out o' the cave above, and
torst this the Injun dragged hisself. At last he got his
claws upon it, and hung upon it, hauling hisself up,
hand over hand. I now thort he wur safe ; Itut jest as
he hruiudit his head level with the bottom of the cave,
the rope broke, and with a mighty screech, wdiich I
hecrd above the roarin' o' the crick, he fell upon the
rocks at the foot o' the blufl'!

"Wal, I a'most felt froze to the spot when I saw the
poor critter fall ; but I made torst him at once and riz
him out o' the water when he wur a drowndin'. Blood
kem from his cars an' nose an' mouth. He wur jest
able to say, * Wild-cat Rxleface's friend. Cache up thur.
Paleface can keep all !' H s head fell over, limber-like,
an' he slipped from my hands as dead as a last year's
straddlfbuof.

"Wal, I wur main sorry for the poor critter. No
doubt he had his little store o' plunder cached away
up ahove, an' wur drawing on it to trade some powder

('jlli!;':!

A aOOD IDEA.

I A

or some sicli want at tlio fort. Wal, tliur wur no use
in ciyin' over hiin, nn' so I sot him up agin the dit}'.
and fell to thinkin' liow I cud manage to drag my oM
carkidgo up to the cave.

" I wur determined to take a peep into that Injun's
cache, an' not even what I had jest seen cud change
my mind. Ef I had a rope it 'ud be easy work enuif,
provided I cud hitch it round somethin' up above; hut
then I hadn't the rope. While I wur a-sjiec'latin' on
this difl'erculty, I noticed that the dead Injun had a iirst-
rate set o' buckskins. I wur tempted to wear 'em
mysell, but my own wur too good to throw off yet a
bit ; an' besides, I didn't cotton to the notion o' wearin"
a dead man's plund(3r.

" I tuck the idee, hows'ever, o' makin' a lasso out
o' the huntin' shirt an' leggin's, an' in the whisk of a
prairie-dog's tail I wur cuttin' them up into strips. I
soon had made the very thing I wanted. But to fix it
wur now tlie rub. My rope wur nigh forty feet lonii',
an' would hang low enuff for me to climb up to, ef I
cud onl}^ hitch it to the cave somehow.

" Wal, I fixed it at last this-a-way. The cave wur
about twenty feet higher than it wur possible to climh
to; the rock got so smooth, there warn't footin' for n
cat. But in the mouth o' the cave itself a bit o' rock
stuck up like the stump o' a tree. Ef I cud lasso this, I
had nothin' more to do than to haul myself up like a sack
o' flour in a mill. I fixed a ofood runnin' noose at the end
o' the rope, an' arter a few trials I made it fast at last.

•■ I wur a

my whole wc
it any easiei
boys, my old
that thui' ho
about me.

'■ At fust I
painted whit<
so I u'ot use(
my eyes. T'
(and I knows
my peepers (
wur fifteen c
Boyees, I wui
in plenty; cai
that Redskin
sides nuist hi
Ho Duist ha'
Thur's no locj
all tliem in or
never thort h
iie didn't."

Here the c
falling heir tc

"Wal," he
Hie, ' Virtue \h
iiu't that Inju
^vouldn't now
phmder."

A WifNDERFUL SKUIT.

•• I wur a bit skc(?ry at fu.-^t aljoiit swin^iii' out wi'
my wljolo wciglit on the I'ope ; l»ut tliuikiu' didn't make
it any easier, an' at ln.,st I jest Jet mysel' '..;o. Y<.)U Ijot,
boys, my oM elbers aclied Jifcre J I'bnvod mysel' into
tliat tbui- liole. Hows'eyer, 1 did get in, aiK.I looked
about me.

" At fust I cudn't 'a seed Pike's Pealc ef it liad been
])ainted wliite an' stud afore nie. 15ut in a niiiuite or
su I. u'ot used to the darkness, an' I cud liardly blieyc
my eyes. Thur wur jnkss an' pik\s o' the finest furs
(and I kno^ys what thc/j are, I reckon) that I ever sot
jiiy peepers on. The fust lot I got my clutches on
wur fifteen o' the grandest black foxes ye eyer seed.
Boyees, I wur clean 'mazed. Thur Avur bear an' beayer
in plenty; carcajou an' deer hides, an' all sorts. I guess
that Redskin wur an out-an'-out good trnpper, an' be-
sides nuist hev lut a streak o' the tallest sort o' luck.
He must haye been layin' up tliem pelts fur years.
Thur's no location in all creation where he cud "a raised
all them in one season's trappin'. Anyhow, I guess he
never thort he wur adayin' em by fur hic. No ; that
iie didn't."

Here the old trapper chuckled a little at the idea of
falling heir to the Hidian's wealth.

"Wal," he continued, "the missioner once said to
niL', ' Virtue is its own reward ;' an' sure enufl', ef 1 had
iiK't that Injun and raised his ha'r as I used to do, we
wouldn't now hey a cupple o' hunder pounds' worth o'
plunder."

A LITTLE HUPEmTlTlOUS.

Pierre and Gaulticv had listened with brcatliless in-
terest to the old hunter's story. They now proposed
an immediate visit to the cave. To their surprise old
Jake seemed embarrassed, and hesitated in a manner
very unusual with him. The boys misconstrued tlif
trapper's manner.

"'Tain't no use fightin' agin natur," they heard liini
muttering; "but yet this coon don't b'lieve in sicli things.'

" What things, Jake ?" asked Gaultier.

" Wagh ! young fell ur, how d'ye know what I wiir
a-thinkin' of ?" exclaimed tlie hunter. " Wal, I wur jest
a-sayin' to myself that I didn't b'lieve in spooks walk-
in', an' all sicii sort o' rubbish. That's what this nin'U'er
wur a-thinkino'."

" What spooks, Jake ?" inquired Pierre.

" Ye see," said Jake, " it's gettin' latish, an' the place
is better 'n four mile away from hyur; an' agin we
got there, what with the nat'ral darkness o' the cave an'
the evenin', I guess we mout jest run agin that thur
Injun's spook. I've heerd tell they're mighty fond o
hangin' round whur their plunder's cached, or Avliur
they've gone under ; an' I guess this location matches
both them p'ints."

The boys, who had been better educated than Jake,
smiled and interchanged looks, but so covertly that it
escaped the notice of the odd old hunter. They said
nothing more on the subject ; but it was resolved to
visit the cave early on the following morning, and to
bring away all the treasures it contained.

As the mc
^vllich direct!"
up camp at ;
They were nc
sti'L'am.

Turning u]
j^islily beneat
they shortly
tliu stream C(
coL'd on foot.
ci'L'cpinL;' roun
pools which
boulders falk
bond in the c

" Look hyi
where I got t
cave."

Lookins: w
dark opening
rock that ov
the bluffs a
the sky, stre
Others, havir
hung head d
the cliiis. B
of the creek
gloomy passa
against rock i

It was a w

A WILD SCENE.

ii .-J

As tlic mouth of tlio creek was down stream, in
wliicli (lircction tlioy were travelling, the hunters broke
up camp at an early hour and embarked in the canoe.
They were not long in reaching the embouchure of the
stream.

Turning up its sombre waters, which flowed shig-
f'ishly beneath the heavy shade of overhanging pines,
tliey shortly came to a spot \vhere the shallowness of
the stream compelled them to leave the boat and pro-
ceed on foot. Alternately wading in the shallows, and
creeping round the base of the cliffs to avoid the deep
pools which swirled and eddied fiercely round huge
boulders fallen from above, they presently arrived at a
bend in the course of the creek.

" Look hyur," said old Jake ; " hyur's the very spot
where I got the fust glimp o' the Injun. Yonder's the
cave."

Looking upwards, the youths in truth perceived a
(lark opening in the face of the cliff, beneath a beetling
rock that overhuno; the entrance. On the summit of
the bluffs a few stunted pines were relieved against
the sky, stretching their ragged arms over the abyss.
Others, having probably been uprooted in a tempest,
hung head downwards, or grew at various angles to
the cliffs. Both above and below the spot, the waters
of the creek rushed over their uneven bed, filling the
glooiny passage with the hoarse roar of ceaseless strife
against rock and boulder.

It was a wild scene, and was rendered doubly so on

SCALING THE CLIFFS.

jilj I

llli I

■ ,i
■■ It

iiiv

1*1':

-1

'■

tlio present occasion by thv^ murky sky which IowcvlmI
aljovc the cliiis, as well as by the dead Indian, who
still retained the upright position against the rocks in
which Jake had placed him. His limbs liad becuiiio
rigid, his eyes were open, and he seemed to fix a stony
stare upon the party as they approached.

A couple of vultures flapped heavily across the sum-
mit oi' the chasm, their foul instincts having led tht'iu
to the spot to banquet on the corpse. One of these
perched upon a pine which leaned forward from tlic
cliff.

" Wau'h ! " exclaimed Jake, with strong disgust, " look
at that thur stinkin' case. I guess they'd 'a made a
meal o' the Redskin ef we hadn't kem too soon. — Hyur's
a pill for yer," he continued, raising his rifle.

At the report, which echoed from side to side of tlio
canon with a thousand reverberations, the ungainly
bird dropped from the branch, and whirling down with
great rapidity, it fell with a heavy sound upon a pile
of boulders which parted the waters of the creek.

The hunters had brought a strong hide lasso with
them from the canoe, and old Jake, having attaclicd
this firmly to the rope which he had used on the pre-
ceding day, and which still depended from the cave,
sAvung himself up with many a kick and scramble. In
this position he presented so ludicrous a spectacle that
the boys could not restrain their mirth, and burst into
shouts of laughter.

" Giggle-goggle, young fellurs, till yer busts. Ye're

I wolconio to y(

f ■' (rvac<'ful than

considerable o'

, I So saying, \

i He spoke trul

I tind the ascent

i|l had the advar

1 nuiscle, was no

\\vf use of eve

feet upon. Bi

tjuisli the atte:

lions.

At length, hi
cave and rejoin
tion of the stc
were not much
skins piled nej
condition. De(
respective plact
fated Redskin 1
the arrangemer
In all, the ivi
moose and cari;
black foxes, an
some total. B(
collection of ti'
ing order; and (
with long ban
ammunition, a:

THE CAVE AND ITS TJlEASUPiES.

welcome to yer fun. See if yo can shin it up more
graceful than this coon. I guess ye'll find it pretty
considerable o' a climb afore ye stands hyur."

So saying, the old hunter vanished into the cave.
He spoke truly when he said that the youths would
{iiul the ascent of the rock far from easy. Pierre, who
had the advantage of Gaultier in years as well as in
muscle, was not long in handing himself upwards, mak-
ing use of every excrescence or projection to plant his
feet upon. But the latter had several times to relin-
ijuisli the attempt and rest before renewing his exer-
tions.

At length, however, he stood in the entrance of the
cave and rejoined his companions. Old Jake's descrip-
tion of the stores which the Indian had accumulated
were not much exaggerated. There were many beaver-
skins piled neatly one on the other, and all in good
condition. Deer-hides and bear-skins had each their
respective places, as indeed had all the others, the ill-
fated Redskin having evidently been a lover of order in
tlie arransrement of his effects.

In all, the trappers counted one hundred beaver, fifty
moose and cariboo hides, twenty-five bear-skins, fifteen
black foxes, and twenty various, making a very hand-
some total. Besides the furs and peltries there was a
collection of traps, most of which were in good work-
ing order; and on a shelf were a smooth-bore single gun
with long barrel, of small gauge, with pouches, some
ammunition, and various small articles used by the

RAIN IN TORRENTS.

late proprietor in pursuit of his calling. On the floor
of the cavern were the remains of a fire which had evi-
dently been used during the preceding few days.

Clearly the Indian had Liade hi.s cache his place of
residence. Some l tdci::;, litcj'sils lay scattered around,
and from a peg in ', •.•o.r/.i :o hung the hams of a fine
cariboo buck.

As old Jake investigated the condition of each skin
separately, and bound them into packs of a convehi-iit
size for removal, the examination lasted for many hours.
At length all was ready for their departure. Pierre
volunteered to make the descent first, and deposit eacli
bundle as it was lowered in a place of safety. Witli
this intention he advanced to the mouth of the Ccave,
when an exclamation from him brought his companions
to his side in a moment. While they had been busied
in their occupation, the rain had been descending in
torrents, and the creek, swollen by the deluge, thun-
dered down the canon with ever-increasincc vohnne.
Small trees and wrack were whirled swiftly by — tlio
former sometimes uprearing themselves in their natural
position above the foaming flood, sometimes standing
reversed, their roots uppermost, as they were caught in
the fierce eddies.

The first thought of the hunters was for their canoe,
which contained their stores, and in fact almost the
whole of their worldly possessions. It was, without
doubt, swept from its fastenings and carried down to
the Athabasca, or capsized and sunk among the Loul-

ders which ev

Peering ove
saw that the
lielow sloped
the face of tli
this that Jak(
the foani-covei
ually reached

" I reckon h
more," said Ji
body, disturbe(
its position, t
(juiekly whirl (
getlier, sometii
upon the surg
bend of the ci
water into foa
suddenly rose
outspread, and
the corner.

"Jehoshaphs
that? The sk
We're tied up
most likely, In
shootin'."

The youths
the old hunter'
^y the solemn]

REDHKIN AC A IN.

i -1
t

dors which cvcrywheru obstructed the channel of the
civck.

Peering over the verge of the entrance, tlie hunters
.saw that the waters had crept up the bank which just
below sloped up from the former level of the creek to
the face of the cliff". It was at the highest point of
this that Jake had placed the dead Indian, and now
the fuaiii-covered stream rose about the body, and grad-
ually reached higher and higher.

" I reckon he'll float out o' this gulch in half a shake
more," said Jake ; and so, in fact, it happened. The
bo'ly, disturbed by the lapping of the waves, fell from
its position, and being caught by the stream, was
(juickly whirled along, sometimes disappearing alto-
gether, sometimes visible for a moment as it was borne
upon the surging bosom of the torrent. Just at the
bend of the creek, where some large rocks broke the
water into foam as it bounded over them, the body
suddenly rose upright from the surface, with hands
outspread, and slowly lieeled over, disappearing round
the corner.

"Jehoshaphat, fellurs !" cried Jake, "did yer see
that ? The skunk shook his fist at us, I'm sartin. Ef
we're tied up in this hyur trap to-night, as seems
most likely, lit II walk in among us. That's sure as
shootin'."

The youths said nothing ; not because they shared
the old hunter's superstition, but they were impressed
by the solemnit}^ of the scene, and the weird spectacle

A DEAFENING CItASIf.

of the upright corpse, whicli seemed to toss its urius
frantically as it vanislied from their eyes.

Abroad, the rain still hissed upon the turhid wati'Vs,

which had

dit

ten feet alj

til

now risen

former height, and rendered escape at present impos-
sible. Within, the cave was shrouded in darkness, in
which the figure of old Jake was dimly discernible as
he groped about among the packs of skins. Sudileiily
a vivid light flashed through the gloom, startling tlic
party, gleaming on the ritle barrels, and revealing fur
an instant the most distant corners of t.'ie cavciii.
Almost simultaneously a deafening crash of thuiKkr
bellowed through the gorge, completely ov^erpoweriiiL;-
the roar of the torrent, and echoing with inteiisitii.d
loudness from cliii' to cliff, like the continued discharge
of batteries of heavy artillery.

The comparative silence Avhich followed this uproar
of nature seemed oppressive by the contrast, althougli
the stream still rushed on with unabated violence at
the height of twenty feet above its ordinary le\cl.
After a lull of some minutes, a loud roll of thunder
again shook the air, immediately succeeded by light-
ni)ig of intensest brilliancy. Flash followed flash in
rapid succession. The rain continued to descend even
more heavily than before. — It was now late in tlic
afternoon, and the hunters began to feel hungry. They
had brought no food with them ; but, luckily, the cari-
boo hams were fresh, and each of the party habitually
carried about with him the means of makinu' a lire.

Some dry <
furnished fue
pers were hqi
the pleasant i
long fasting f

"Wal.Igu
oastinu' an e^
larLfc as to i
comfort. "T
best places in
in an oncomfi
for beauty toi
alius pitches
with tinuner t

"AVitli sue
• tlicy are cer
country sctti

■ i seem to have
<^| with regard

■ I superior."
^ -'That's tri

to git a raal ]
Thur's a clas
the devil hin
j the Injuns a
Ver raal wilt

■ likes to be.
, all alike."

^ "I don't k

» i

*fi

INDIA XS VKIiSUS SETTLERS.

(■ir
iii ^

! i

Some (liy driftwood, collected no doubt by the Indian,
fiirnisliod fuel, and in a very short time the three trap-
pers wore seated round the cheerful blaze, enf^^ipfed in
tlio pleasant task of appeasino- appetites sharpened by
litiii;' fasting as "well as by exertion.

" Wal, I g'uess this is a snug location now," said Jake,
casting an eye round the cavern, which was not so
large as to impress its occupants with a sense of dis-
comfort. "Them Injuns ur great at lindini,^ out the
licst places in the woods. I niver seed an Injun camp
in an oncomfortable spot ; an' the critturs hev an eye
for beauty too — they hev so. Ef they kin, they a'most
alius pitches thnr camp in a nice, cool, green place,
with tinmier an' water at hand, an' a nice view at that."

"Witli such taste for the picturesque," said Pierre,
• tlicy are certainly less savage than many of the old
country settlers who come among us. Tliey do not
seem to have taste of any kind ; and I am sure that
with regard to manners, the Indian is infinitely their
superior."

'' That's true for you," said Jake ; " but I reckon,
to git a raal Injun, one must leave the frontier behind.
Thur's a class o' whites along the border as cud teach
the devil himself wickedness he didn't know afore, an'
the Injuns are apt to larn all that's bad they sees.
Yer raal wild Injun's a gentleman — that is, when he
likes to be. On the war-trail, though, I calc'late thur
all alike."

"I don't know that we're any better at that time

A Dnh'.tnv orrrjiOK.

'''i

c'ithor," ronmrkod Ojiullior, "our i-iilo oi action is io
t'lko cvcny advantaj^^*, and kill all w«» can. With llic
Intlians, those who niakti tlu^ (Hiarrcl ^^o out (o li^lit ;
while with us they remain safe at home, while [\u<\\-
sands of their dupes are heinj; massacred for tlie sake
of an idea. I think our only claim to moral superior-
ity consists in the fact that we do not take scalps — a
slender plea to found the claim on."

"I don't hold with yer thur," said Jake; " tluu's
whites an' whites, an' Injuns an' Injuns. I knows,
bocau.se I've seed it, that out far in the wilderness the
Christianized Redskins are simple, honest, and [(ood;
hut then thur's more on 'em that's as bad as the worst
white a-<>'oin.' An' amoni; the whites thur's some nn
'em that's o-ood, an' some on 'em that's bad. I <A\\'
in, though, that in the States most o' the border whites
are main bad."

With convcr.sation such as this they passed the tiiuo.
Often one of the party approached the entrance of the
cave and looked down into the gloomy chasm to note
the state of the stream. But night had fallen, and
although the moon cast showers of silveiy beams whidi
pierced the darkness of the canon here and there, the
bottom was hidden from view. Patches of white foam,
dimly visible, floated past with great rapidity; and the
noisy turmoil of the water battling its way among
rocks and boulders, served to show that as yet descent
was impracticable. The hunters therefore made prep-
aration for spending the night in the cave.

■

■ii

A NKIUT TN THE CAVE.

Thero was no .scarcity of nij^^s and wraps, and cucli
liaviiiLj sclocted tlu^ warmest hv. could I'ukI, tlicy l;iid
tlicmsolvL's on tlu3 rocky lloor witli tlK.'ir feet to tlio fir<',
niul were liillabic<l to sleep by the drowsy inunimr of
the torrent.

CHAPTER VI.

TUF. IITIVTrns TEAVK THE f.WE— DTSAPVKARANCK OF THE CAVOE— TTIK IIODV OF
THK INDIAN— I'ANOE FOUND— UF;<;IUK ON /. UOITTK— DOWN Till; ATllAllASiA
— WOOD nUFFAtO— TimOUdll TIIF, FOIIF.ST— STALKING THE IIUFFALO— THi:
ATTACK — OLD .TAKK'-S ADVKNTlIllE WITH THE HULL— " TREED " — I'IKlllti;
AND CiAULTIKK COME TO IlIS AID— JAKE'S ACCOUNT OF THE ADVENTUKi:.

It wfis late on tlie followini]^ morninoj when tlic liur.tcrs
awoke. Tl\c o-loom of the cavern no doubt fostered
their slnmber.^, so that it was w^th a feeling of surprise
tliat Pierre, who was the first to rise, saw from the
entrance of the cave that morning was ahx^ady con-
siderably advanced.

The Avaters of the creek had now nearly relapsed to
their ordinary level ; and at this intimation Gaiilticr
and JcJvC, with many a yawn and stretch, nprearod
their drowsy forms from the bearskin rugs and set
about preparing breakfast.

This was a simple affair. They had neither coflfee
nor biscuits, and they had to content themselves with
dry cariboo venison broiled over their insufficient fire.
It may be supposed that they did not linger over
their meal, which, in fact, hardly occupied them for
five minutes.

They then made preparations to depart. Pierre

eaiuinusly do
immediately
it a pack ol
many of the
vouicntly car
place of safet

Old Jake
shouldering a
ilown the sti
time they an
they had fast
I (I to 1)0 seen !

Just here
gently upwa
with low bru:
had attained
from which (
an hour's frui
and here als(
canoe.

" Wagh ! " (
cncd my old
used to be.
he continued
bchint the b
mout be thur.

Depositing
they again a?
the verge of

TN SEARCir OF THE CANOE.

cautiously dcscondtMl to the bottom ; and his comrades
iinuu'diatoly drew up the rope, and having secured to
it a pack of skins, lowered it. In this manner as
many of the packs were removcMl as they could con-
veniently carry in i\w canoe, Pierre placing each in a
place of safety as it reached him.

Old Jake and (faultier next descended; and each
shouldering a heavy bundle, they connnenccd to wade
down the stream in search of the canoe. In a short
time they arrived without nushap at the spot where
tliey had fastened the boat, but not a trace of it was
to he seen!

Just here there were shelving banks, which sloped
gently upwards from the water, and were covered
with low brushwood. The lieiMit to which the flood
had attained was marked on the branches of these,
from which depended wrack of various sorts. After
an hour's fruitless search they readied the Athabasca,
and here also they could perceive no vestige of the
canoe.

" Wagh ! " exclaimed Jake, " this tramping has stiff-
ened my old j'ints, an' thur not as limber as they
used to be. I reckon we've passed the boat, fellurs,"
he continued; "an' this coon's gwino to hev a peep
bchint the brush aloncf the banks o' the crick. It
mout be thur."

Depositing their burdens therefore upon a dry spot,
they again ascended the creek, keeping this time by
the verge of the line of drift rubbish, which plainly

(78(J)

THi: LAST OF POOR REDSKIN.

indicatod tlie height readied by the flood. Old Jake

preceded the others, forcing his way th
id occasionally muniblin

xowjh the taniiled

branches, an
tion.

Suddenly he stopped short, with the exclamation,
" Snakes alive ! , look hyiir, boys : hyur's that Injun
again — we're alius running agin him ! "

The lads pushed forward, and were shocked to see
the disfigured corpse of the ill-fated Indian wedged
between the stems of two small trees. The body had
been floating feet foremost, and in passing bctwoon
these trees the expanded arms had arrested its course.
Masses of uprooted sedge, or withered grasses, whicli
had been borne down by the stream, were heaped upon
the body, the extremities of which were alone visihlo.

" I think we ought to bury the poor fellow," said
Gaultier, " and not leave him to be the food of vul-
tures.

This suggestion was acted on, and the three hunters,
with their knives, soon scooped out a shallow grave
in tlie soft soil, in which the body was deposited. Tlie
mould was then replaced and stamped down firioly;
a small stick., with a rag fluttering from it, \v'as piajttoil
on tlie grave, to scare away any prowling wolf whicli
might pass by the spot.

" The current seems to have set tliis M'ay," said
Pierre, " since it landed the corpse here ; I daresay the
canoe will not be far off."

A little further search brought the party to an open

spot, where \
the verge of
boon capsize
been unprott
through, and

Havini,^ sel
fi-ijin the gr<
which at this
then returnee
themselves w
to the canoe.
the peltries, '<\

The passag
in safety ; an
they had lef
floated quietl
river.

The himter
course. Jake
Athabasca to
onteriuiT the ^
Lakt! and the
Tliis course v
of the head-w
carry them 1
where game o

Pierre, on
of the Peace I
to occupy thci

CONSULTATION.

) ;i

I J

I
J

spot, where they perceived the canoe stranded against
the verge of tlic bushes. Strange to say, it had not
hoon capsized nor injured ; but the stores, wliich liad
l)een unprotected against the heavy rain, wore drenched
throui^di, and the boat itself was half-full of water.

Having set matters to right, they lifted the canoe
from the ground and carried it down to the creek,
which at this place was deep enough to float it. "J'hey
then returned to the rocks below the cave and loaded
themselves with the packs of furs. These tliey brought
to the canoe. After several journeys they removed all
the peltries, and embarked.

The passage down to the Athabasca was performed
in .safety ; and havin<jf taken on board the furs which
they had left here upon the bank, they once more
floated quietly down the broad waters of the noble
river.

The hunters now lield a consultation on their future
coiu'se. Jake proposed that they should descend tlie
Athabasca to the lake of the same name, and then,
onteiing the Slave River, pass through the Great Slave
Lake and the Mackenzie River, and ascend the Liard.
This course would, he said, bring them within range
of the head-w^aters of the Youkon River, which would
carry them through an almost nnexplored country,
wlK^re game of all kinds abounded.

Pierre, on the other hand, recommended the route
of the Peace River, which was long and difficult enough
to occupy them dui^ing the remainder of the summer.

COURSE DETERMINED.

" We can doscond the Frascr afterwards," he said, " and
reach New Westminster before winter. If we went
north we should have to winter in the mountains, and
I do not think that would be prudent in nn unknown
country, where there may or may not be resources
sufficient to support us."

Gaultier did not offer any opinion of his own as
to any particular route, but he said that he douljtod
the wisdom of undertaking such a journey as tliat
which Jake suggested, through regions wliere prob-
ably few white men had ever penetrated, and which
must be inhabited by fierce and dangerous tribes.

" Wal, young fellurs," said Jake, " it's all one to tins
coon whur we goes ; though I reckon that ef we want
skins we'd better go whur they grows. That's all I
hev to say."

" Can we ascend the Peace in our canoe, Jake i* "
asked Pierre ; " I have never been up it further tlian
Fort Vermilion."

" I han't neither," answered the old hunter ; " but d
we goes that-a-way I reckon that we'll be able to canoe
it for lonir enuff fust afore Ave hev to oive in."

Finally, then, it was determined to ascend the Peace,
and to trust to chance for being able to get throim'h
A 1th the canoe.

Ii.» i!xO meantime, free from care, the hunter.^ floated
dowii ihiG Athabasca, conversing on the productions of
thi^ ••caintvy, oi' on their prospects of a successful trip,
/v.t lijucs Pierre wok;' the echoes with a lij^ht-heai'ted

FLOATING DOWN TIT?: ATHABASCA.

carol, ill which he was occ: tonally joined by Gaultier ;
and as they v'.ippcd their paddles they sang in unison
an old Canadian boat-song, much to Jake's disgust.

" Wagli ! " he exclaimed, after some nuittered dissatis-
faction, " ye'U scare all the birds off the water with yer
,s(|uawkin' ! I've been a-tryin' to get sight on a swan
this half-hour, an' the critters takes to wing jest as I
squints at 'em. Ye're enutf to frighten the feathers oti'
a turkey -buzzard ! "

Thus admonished, the lads would hold their peace
for a time; but under the exhilarating influence of
bright skies, and brilliant sunshine lighting up the
emerald glades of the forests and sparkling on the
waves of the river, they would again incur (jM Jake's
censure by the indulgence of their light-hearted mirth.

Thus they journeyed on. Each succeeding day found
them alert at sunrise ; and as the fatigue of travelling
down stream was inconsiderable, they often prolonge<i
their day's journey until the silver moon sailed abo\ e
tJKj woods and glanced on the dimpled surface of the
water.

One evening as they were landing an unusual cir-
ciiinstance occurred. The place they had selected for
tlieir camp was just at the point of a short promontory
or bend in tht bank which projected into the Athabasca
for some twenty or thirty yards. The moon had been
clouded for some minutes, but had just emerged from
tlie fleecy vapours which had eclipsed her beams as the
party landed on the point. This was but a few yards

S: 1

WOOD BUFFALO.

across ; and from an impulse of curiosity Gaulti('r
pusliud quietly through the small pines, ^vhich thickly
clad the shore, and gazed down the farther reach, wliicli
stretched away for half a mile, darkened on one liauk
by the gloomy shade of woods, while the opposite side
received the full ^'adiance of the moon.

The distance across was not so great as to prevent
the young tiapper from observing several animals oi
innnense size standing by the verge of the water. Oc-
casionally one would ^\'alk along the beach, and scum
to browse; while others advanced towards the river
and watled into it until knee-deep, when they bciiL
their heads to drink.

At first Gaultier supposed them i>^ be moose-detr,
but he was puzzled by the look of their heads, on which
he could discern no such armature of antlers as dis-
tinguishes that animal. Quietly retracing his steps, he
informed his comra^ i js of what lie had seen. From the
spot where the canoe liad been deposited the strange
animals were not visible, and the two hunters therefore
followed Gaultier, who led ihe u to the place from
which he had observed them. The animals still main-
tained their position on the beach, but a slight filin
across the moon rendered them extremely indistinct.

" They are moose," said Pierre ; " I can see the horns
of that next one — see, the one near that big white pine. '

" You must skin yer eyes a deal more to see tlicir
horns, I reckon," said Jake ; " w. lat you sees is tliat
withered branch hanofinir down over the critter's head

from the tr
he continue!
Hist!" he e:
pressing for
to have a g(
bufflers ain'i
smell like al
jest slip up 1
to t'other si
rear. Anjv^

The party
placed in tl
to make the
ging the sh
sombre shad
bison miofht
they reascen
a n;ile. Th^
bank ; and
noi.selessly a

Just here
difficultv in
ilie mossy ^
the fallen ne
torn throud
atlurded a v
light of tlie
the sombre s

hght mist c

J'REPARIXG FOB A SHOT.

( I

from tlic tree. I guess I knows now wht\t tliey ur,"
lie continued : " them's biifHers — wood bufflcr at that.
Hist ! " he exclaimed, seizing hold of Gaultier, who was
pressing forward from the shade of the trees in order
to have a good look ; " take kear yer not seen ; them
bufflors ain't like the plain bafflers — they car see and
smell like all creation. I'll tell yer what we'll do : we'll
jest slip up the river agin in the canoe, and cross over
to t'other side. I guess we'll take the critters in the
rear. Anyways, that's our only chance of a shot."

The party silently returned to tlie canoe, which was
placed in the vrater with tlie greatest care, so as not
t') make the least noise. All then embarked, and hua
fAm the shore in order to avail themselves of the
soiiibre sliadows of the overhanging trees in case the
bison might shift their position and come within view,
they reascended the Athabasca for about a quarter of
a n;ile. The canoe was then steered to the opposite
bank ; and the liunters, taking their rifles, plunged
noiselessly amid the dim shades of the forest.

Just here the woods were open, so that they had.no
difliculty in proceeding quickly and without noise over
the mossy ground, which was thickly carpeted with
the fallen needles of the pines. Here and there a vista,
torn through tlie trees l;>y some fierce winter tempest,
affttrded a view of the river, which reflected the mild
lioht of tlie moon in long streams of silver, edged by
the sombre shadows thrown by the opposite forest. A
light mist covered tlio expanse of water, giving a

'i; -i

A (,'UUJJ CHANCE.

dreamy expression to the scene. Tlie patli wliieli the
hunters followed gradually neared the river, and ren-
dered caution doubly necessary, as they now ap})foaclied
the spot where the bison were pasturing.

Stealing with the silence of a ghost among the dark
trcL runks, old Jake, who was in advance, suddmly
motioned his conu'ades to stop, and bending his head
slightly to one side, he seemed to listen intently.

" Thur hyur yet," he whispered. " Let us creep to
the edge of the timber an' gi' 'cm goss ! "

Accordingly the two youths stealthily followed the
old hunter, each taking up a position at the verge of
the cover Avhieh connnanded a view of the river bank.

As ohl Jake had guessed, the bison still stood near
where they liad at iirst been seen. There were four or
five of them, of which number two browsed u})()ii a
level sward \rhich intervened between the forest and
the water ; the remainder stood at the river's edge, and
seemed to have no intention of leaving the spot. For-
tunately for the hunters, a cool, f) .'sh breeze blew to-
wards them, thus concealing their proximity from the
nostrils of the wary animals.

One of the beasts, which had detached himself iVoin
his companions, was gradually feeding towards the
forest. Hardly thirty yards separated him from the
crouching trappers.

Pierre liad marked this beast as his own, and, on the
Hi4"nal to fire being given by Jake, he aimed behind the
niassive shoulder and pressed the trigger. At the cracks

•.^■:V

II !;

GREAT EXCITEMENT.

(,t' tlu; lilies the licrd of bison tunied with extmurdi-
iiary swiftness and clmvL;"ed t<)war<ls the forest, leaving
but one of their number behind. Tlie animal at which
Pierre had fired stumbled heavily forward, recovered
himself, and would have follo\.'e<l his companions if
the young trapper had not giv(;n him another ball at

the base of th

■;t with

d.^

lie uase oi ilie ear as lie rushctl past witlnn live yards.

Gaultier and Jake had each disappeared in pursuit
of their respective game, and the frequent reports of
tlie ritle of tlie former proved that he had brought his
bison to Ijay. A loud hurrah from him soon announced
his success ; and on following up the track, Pierre found
liiiii seated, with his sleeves tucked np, plunging his
hunting-knife into the throat of the prostrate animal,
wliich still kicked with its hind IciiS in the throes of
death.

Distant yells proclaimed that old Jake was still en-
gaged with his foe ; but although the cries continued,
the boys remarked that no shots were fired. They
th( ix'fore followed the sounds, which grew louder and
more frequent as they advanced. After a (juick walk
of about ten minutes among the thick growth of spruces,
where the moonlight failed to pierce the heavy foliage,
tliey arrived at the edge of an open space, where the
trees had been killed either by fire or by stagnant
water — the overflow, probably, of the Athabasca River
during unusually high floods. Here the ground was
encumbered with trees lying thickly on each other,
while several of the largest still stood erect, their

(HJ> JAKE " TREKU:

.storin-lilt'aclicd branches shinirg white in the iiioon-
liglit.

From one of tliosc trees old Juke's cries seenied
to proceed, and on looking closely the youths perceivLtl
the hunter seated on a large branch, close to the trunk,
round which he had thrown an arm to support himself.
It was comical to see the old fellow danrdiuL; his lojiir
legs in air, giving continual vent to prolonged unearthly
yells, which echoed far through the surrounding forest.

The lads could not see the foot of the tree wliieli
formed the old trapper's perch, owing to the thick en-
tanglement of fallen trees which cumbered the ground
in every direction. They guessed, however, that the
bison which he had followed had turned to bay, and
had forced the hunter to take the first refuge that
ottered itself. On approaching nearer, the quick snoit-
ing and heavy movements of some large animal became
audible ; they therefore proceeded cautiously, so as to
get within shot before the bison could detect their
proximity.

Meantime Jake kept the echoes awake calling for
assistance. A low whistle from Pierre informed the
old hunter of their approach, so he called out, —

" I'm treed by this monstrous beast, and hain't got
Plumcentre. Do ce take kear the rotted varmint don't
get his peepers on yer, lads, or he'll put ye up a couple
o' trees in a brace o' shakes."

This caution was quite unneces.'^ary ; but the neigh-
bourhood was so encumbered with fallen trees and

hrusliwood t
impossible, n
c.Ktreme slow
Juke was i
his jailer by
l.iranelies, wl]
(uiivre was s
and thrashed
\ent his rage
Under cov
ijoys advance
readied a sp
qnai'ters. Cr
until the bis
caeli selectinij

In the dani
heavy, and \
result of tlu
Jake, with th
ble ! " announ^

Jake next
among the b
he cut the bi^
tongue.

"I reckon
observed; "ai

This he efFe
distended by
contrivance tc

:iiill

in: LP AT HAND.

bruslnvood tliat to advance without noise was almost
impossible, and only to be effected by moving with
extreme slowness.

Jake was aware of this, and diverted the attention of
Ills jailer by shouting at him, and pelting him with
liiaiiclies, which he broke from the tree. This man-
(eiivre was successful. The bison pawed the ground,
and thrashed through the bushes in his eagerness to
vent his rage on the body of his taunting enemy.

Under cover of the noise which ho thus made, the
Itoys advanced more quickly, and in a few minutes
readied a spot from which they could fire at close
quarters. Crouching behind a huge log, they waited
until the bison turned broadside towards them, and
each selecting a spot to aim at, they fired together.

In the damp air and coniined space the smoke hung
heavy, and prevented them from at once seeing the
result of their shots, but a loud hurrah from old
Jake, with the exclamation, " 'Thunder ! thur's a tum-
ble ! " announced their success.

Jake next descended from liis uncomfortable seat
among the branches, and unsheathing his long knife
he cut the bison's throat and proceeded to extract the
tongue.

" I reckon we'll take his skin in the mornin'," he
observed ; " an' I'll jest rig up a scare-wolf in a minute."

This he effected by taking out the bladder, which he
distended by blowing through a straw. He tied this
contrivance to a stick stuck into the ground beside the

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

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I.I

1^ 12.8

|50 l"^*

1^ Ui

'- in

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1.25 1.4

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6" -

►

/}.

^i \>

^'^^i

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Sciences

Corporation

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23 VEST MAIN STREET

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'Hi

A I'RODiaiOUH MEAL.

■I

carcass, and having adjusted it to liis satisfnction, tlio
old liunter shouldered Plunicentre, having first care-
fully examined it to satisfy liimsclf that it had escapdl
all injury. He then left the spot, followed by Piiire
and Gaultier.

The tonuues of the other two bison were cut out, as
well as the choicest parts of the one first killed, wliich
happened to be a fine young cow. A roast was of
course the first thing done on arrival at the camp; ami
during the prodigious ineal which followed, each of the
hunters foui^ht his battle over ai^ain.

In answer to Pierre's inquiry as to how he got trued,
Old Jake replied : —

" I ""uess this nit^wr hain't often been obleeiijed to
show his tail in tliat thur ondignified way ; but acci-
dents ur sure to happen some time or other to all on us.
I've even heerd tell o' a fellur bein' treed by a moose,
an' screechin' mighty loud about it, too."

This allusion was taken good-humouredly by Pierre,
who laughed.

"Wal, I follered that bufHer like a white wolf. I
wur determined to hev that juffler, boys, and so I glued
myself to his tail, an' tore arter him through the woods.
O' coorse, I knowed the varmint wur wounded. Id
let old Plumcentre into him at the fust go-ofi", an' seed
him stumble. But he seemed to get stronger an"
stronger the furrer he went, until we kem to that open
place wduu' ye comed up wi' mc. All this while 1
hadn't time to clap the fodder into my rifle ; but the

m\n wur si

slowed a bi

wur a-doin'

ahead some

the trees a:

they hev ba

a spurt, and

hecrd nic a

he wur riij-li

he kem tor;

wink, althoi

'■ 1 noticcc

hut hedn't

that all-fired

a-])okin' at i

that. I wui

we wur figh:

a quartcr-ho

.IS I nied tha

pack o' b'ar->

to stay belov

come up, I o

the old tool 5

his tracks—]

OLT^ JAh'E'S NARIiATIVE.

cfom will* so bad for the bufHer on the barren tliat I
slowed a bit, an' loaded up as fast as I end. While I
wnr a-doin' this, the buffler had i^faim-d on nie, an' wiir
ahead soinewheres. I cud hear Inni crackin' throiifdi
the trees an' bushes like one o' them railway injins
tliey liev back in the States, got oft' the line. T put on
a spurt, and soon agin tackled the critter. I guess he
hecrd nie a-coniin', for before I could cry ' Colundnis'
]r' wur right atop o' me. O' coorse, I pulled on him as
he kem torst me. But 'twur no go. He didn't even
wink, although he got the ball plumb atween the eyes.
'• 1 noticed thur wur somethin' MTong wi' the report,
hut hedn't time to calc'lato on tlud. No; thur wur
that all-fired beast gruntin' an' roarin' like all creation,
a-pokin' at me wi' his horns as I dodged this-a-way an'
tliat. I wurn't lonu' in seein' a birj tree clost to whur
M'c wur fightin', an' ye'd better b'leeve I put for it like
a quarter-hoss. I reckin sparks flew from my old heels
as I nied that tree, and flew up it like a ' painter' wi' a
pack o' b'ar-dogs at his tail. Plumcentre wur obleeged
to stay below% not bein' able to clind) ; but ef ye hatln't
come up, I guess I'd made shift to get my claws upon
the old tool somehow, and dropped that rotted bull in
his tracks — I would so ! "

CHAPTER VII.

A SI.KlIIT llEFKCTION'— AMOtTNT OP FOon RF.iJII. ITE IN TUK NKIi III WKsT- llir
I'AItTY MTAIIT TO BUINd IN TIIF, MEAT TIIF. CAIXAJOU— JAKK K.\UA(li:i> IV
THE WOLVKUINE— .IAKE'h IUTSK TO TUAl' Till: WOLVEKINE— M AKINU A < \M1'
FIltE— CtlNNINO OP TIIK WOI.VKItlNF. -A TUAl" SET— VIHIT TO TllK THAI' -
TlIK CAU( A.IOU CAUdllT— 1>EATII OF THE CAIIC A.IOU— C \UIllOO-- A H1;K \r
THE CAMl'— THE CANOE BUIINEO— THE YOUNll MEN's REJECTION — A llAH.

On the morning following the preceding adventure, tlic
sun had scarcely tipped the tree-tops on the eastern
bank of the Athabasca "with his rosy beams \v1umi tlio
hunters left camp in order to bring in the meat. OM
Jake, indeed, found time before starting for a grilhuh'
of the juicy tongues of the bison ; in which succulent
repast Gaulticr and Pierre w^ere not loath to join. This,
how^ever, was only intended as a stay to their appetites,
most of these delicious dainties having been consunnd
at their supper on the previous night.

The amount of food which constant life in the open
air renders necessary is prodigious ; and, indeed, in the
countries of which our narrative treats the chief ditli-
culty consists in supplying the demands of appetite
with an adequate quantity of viands. Our hunters
therefore had little difficulty in disposing at one meal
of the greater part of the three colossal tongues, leaving

only the (!)}(

in the morn:

The air w

till' hroad ri

mirror, picti

sky with exf

lay a heavy

nii^'ht ; and \

ijlittcred on

rt-'tlected the

Old Jake,

nnil anathei

hriished froii

van of tlie j

fallen was so

as he wished

Jake pushec

wliieh was p

That whi(

met, and the

to iind tliat,

over tlie car

hy wild anin

"The nast

best o' the

l>rovidin' run

only intrqjoo

wei-ht off th

While tall-

MUCH CIIAaniNED.

onlv tlio (tndJcda of the feast to form .1 sll^^^ht refection
in tilt' iiioniin;^'.

Tli«' air ^va.s fresh and l)almy as the hnnters crossed
tlif liroad river, the surface of ^vhicll was as placid as a
minor, picturini^ the motionless trees and the dappled
sky with exrpiisite accuracy. On every twit? and Ijranch
lay a heavy d(!W, which had been deposited dm-inijf the
iiiijht ; and the risinff sun, <dancini:j tlirou<:jh the foliai^e,
flittered on myriads of the diamond drops, which
riHected the rays in beautiful prismatic hues.

Old Jake, however, cared little for the picturesque,
and anathematized the ^dittering showers which he
linishod from the boughs as he forced his way in the
van of the party. The spot where the buffaloes had
fallen was soon reached ; and here Pierre stayed behind,
as ho wished to butcher his own game. Oaultier find
Jake pushed on, each to find and cut up the animal
which was properly his own.

That which had fallen to Gaultier's rifle was first
met, and the two hunters were considerably chagrined
to lind that, despite a scarecrow which had been placed
over the carcass, much of the meat had been injured
hy wild animals durini:r the niirht.

"The nasty varmints!" said Jake, "hcv spiled the
best 0' the meat. I reckon we were well employed
jirovidin' rump steaks fur thur rotted jaws ! Ef I cud
only introjooce Plumcentre to the skunks, it 'ud take a
weight off this ni<xi?er's £f\7s7.2ixi{."

While talking thus, the old hunter was examining

A MIXCIIIEVOUS CARCAJOU.

tlie njround, and prosontly lie lifted from Itoliind srtinc
bushes the ficare-wolf which had been placed Itesidc the
carcass on the pr'?vious nii^dit.

" I inont 'a guessed that all-tired crittur did the j<ili !'
he exclaimed, 'iryur's the thini^ we riiru'c'd up tn
scare the wolves; an' may l^lumcentre turn int<i a
smooth-bore ef he hasn't hidden it l»ehint the hii>li
arter helpin' hisself !"

" What beast do you mean ? " asked (jlaultier,

"What beast?" replied the old trap])er ; "I Ljncss
thur's only the one hyurabout would play us such a
dirty trick. Twur a carcajou as did it. I wish tliiir
wur a pound o' pison in his stomach. You bet lii-li
he's jest made tracks right away for t'other biitllt f.
I've knowed one o' them horrid brutes to fcjller up a
line o' traps for fifty mile, and dig out the bait, nr
swaller the beast inside, 'ithout spring-in' the ti'iguvr.
When, the critter had stutied hisself an' went oH", 1
guess the wolves fell to an' finished the jol). See,
they've med raggles o' the hide from the tail to tlio
nose, rot 'em !"

Both hunters now followed their track of the previous
night, and after missincy the direction once or t\vici\
they came upon the carcass of the third bison. As Jake
had apprehended, their cunning enemy the wolverine
had found out this also ; and, as if in sheer wantonness,
he had torn and disfigured the meat as much as possiMe,
and had hidden away the bladder and stick which
Jake had planted over the body.

Til

e rage

surveyed tl
sneak inj,^ ca
against the
'• Kf I he
• ril trap th
111' my nam
eld Jake's i
he don't!"

While the
threats, lie
tongue (the
protruded b(
hits, which h
hanvl.

Leaving tl
rianltier and
canoe. It w
to rig up a
against hope
With this
'^gain left ca'
youths accom
cajou would I
tracks in the
has no objecti
indeed, he acti
'"^nce; tearinrr
tlie marten

(7n.;)

(

AN E\y/!.H;/:i> TliMTEU.

liUS

iko

Tlic vaL;"o of tlie old liniitcr knew no bounds as ho
siuvoyetl the mischief wroiiLjht hy the sagacious and
sneaking carcajou, and deep were the threats lie uttered
a-ainst the marauding scounch'el.

" Kt I liev to stay liyur till winter," ho exclaimed,
• HI trap that varmint. I'll make him smell thunder,
(ir my name's not Jake ITawken. Ye-es ! he'll Hnd
old Juke's not a snag to run agin' that away. Sec ef
lie don't!"

While the incensed trapper gave utterance to these
threats, ho was busily engaged in cutting out the
tongue (the point of which had been bitten otl', having
protruded beyond the jaws), and sundry other choice
lilts, which he secured together and slung from his ritlo
barrel.

Leaving tlie remainder of the carcass to the wolves,
Claultier and his companion retraced their steps to the
canoe. It was Jake's intention to return later in order
to rig up a trap near the bison, in \vhich he hoped
iiL^aiust hope to catch tlie wary wolverine.

With this view the old trnj^per during the afternoon
a^ain left camp. At his own rerpiest neither of the
youths accompanied him, as ho feared the cunning car-
cajou would be likely to take alarm at finding so many
tracks in the neighbourhood of the trap. The wolverine
has no objection to the trail of a solitary hunter, which,
indeed, ho actually follows with extraordinary persever-
ance ; tearing open the traps which have been set for
the marten or tisher, and cither devouring them if

(7*0) 7

100

A rUNNTNii lih'AST.

cauj^ht, or liidint; tliem away at somo distance in \ho
woods, or even in the top branclies of a pine-trco. ilc
will thus destroy a whole line of traps; and this, appa-
rently, from sheer wantonness, as, unless when pressed
by liunger, he contents himself with merely tearini^ the
captured animal to ])ieccs and hiding it out of siojit.
No wonder, then, tliat the backwoodsmen clierish a
cordial liatred towards the wolverine, and compass its
destruction by every means in their power. So cumiiiiL:',
however, is this beast, that it is almost impossible to
take it in a trap. It burrows underneath, and dra^s
ofF tlie bait without springing the trigger; or if tliis
shouhl liappen, the log-weight falls harndessly on tlio
ground.

Sometimes poison has been found effective ; but hero,
too, the sagacity of the animal enables him fre(piently
to detect the danger, and the bait is found by the
trapper untouched, or buried uneaten. Guns have been
set in vain, the string connected with tlie trigger haviiiLj
been first gnawed across and the device rendered use-
less. The bait has then been safely devoured or carried
ofl'. Pitfalls have been tried and found wanting. In
fact the resources of the wolverine are such that he is
fully a match for the most experienced trapper tliat
ever carried pack or rifle.

To achieve the capture, therefore, of one of those
cunning beasts, is a good test of the hunter's skill and
ingenuity. Consequently the old trapper on the present
occasion felt himself on his mettle, and was determined

'i
1

to sliow hi
?iiint o' 'en
On arri\
(if the his(
the liones,
saplings, w
each. Tlie
maimer a.s
ef a length
of the bod
permit the
entrance he
to drag up ,
near the ,sp
the heavier
upon the si
parallel to e
the po'nt of
the outer er
tlie heavy t:
■^hort stick st
t^^<' top of th
i^nd leaves, ,«
presented it^
ranged ever-
removed the
returned to
'"Approaching
" Well, Jal,

THE TRA V SFT.

101

to silow liis yonncr<'i' associatos tliat "not a rottctl var

111

iiit ()' Vni all could fool oM Jake llawkcii.

niLT

ISt'-
•iL.l

le is
tluit

lOsC

anil
sent
ineJ

On Miriving at the spot wliorc the uinni^'lcd remains
(if the bison lay, which indeed consisted of little hut
tlic hones, the trapper lirst cut down a nuniher of
.siplinL;s, which he divided into lenp^ths of ahout a yard
each. These he planted tirnily in tln^ ground in such a
manner as to form a palisade of a semi- oval shape, nnd
(if a Icnu'th within, about suflicicnt to ndinit two-thirds
of the Itody of a marten, but of insuilicient size to
permit the animal to turn round inside. Across the
entrance he placed a small log. His next operation Avas
to drag np a long branchless pine which lay prostrate
near the spot, and having with much difliculty raised
the heavier end of the stem, he carefully placed it
upon the small log, in such a manner that they were
parallel to each other. A partridge placed as a bait on
the point of a short stick projected into the enclosure ;
the outer end of this stick supporting the butt end of
the heavy tree, and being itself supported by anotlier
short stick standing perpendicularly. Jake next covered
tlic top of the trap with small branches, pieces of bark,
and leaves, so that no means of access to the interior
presented itself except by the entrance. Having ar-
ranged everything to his satisfaction, the old hunter
removed the skeleton of the bison to some distance, and
returned to the camp. As soon as the boys saw him
approaching they came forward to meet him.

"Well, Jake," said Gaultier, " where's the carcajou?

102

N(tT WITIKUrr linl'i:.

I tliouglit you wont to Ctatcli liiin, and 1 don't sec
liiui."

" Yc'll st'c tlui critter soon cnufi', yoinif,^ frllur — ,i oon-
sitlerable siylit sooner than of ce win* to g(j [M.kin'
round a-lookin' for liini ycrsel'."

" I Tow did you niana^v, Jake ? " asked Pierre ; " wliat
kind of trap did you make ? You know we are } ••hiil;'
1 lands at this kind of work, and expect to leani fit mi
your gfreator experience."

'Jliis was a phicaho to the trapper's amour j>ro/)ri\
which had been somewhat milled by the tone of
(Jaulticr's incjuiry. "I reckin," he replied, "that iiiv
exper'cnce 'ud make a good hunter out o' the greciicst
tenderfoot iver got loose from his mannny's aproii-
strino-s. 'Twould so ! But this ni!]fr.'cr's not so <nv(ii
as to expect to take that carcajou the fust go-ofl'. I
guess I'll let him nibble at the bait a bit, jest to kinder
encourasj^e him. I'll walk over in the mornin' an' licv
a s(|uint at what the skunk's been about. I'm a'most
sartin he'll chaw up the bait I've sot up — an' I hopi'
he diz ! Ef he diz, I reckin this coon'U walk into tlic
varmint pretty slick."

" Why, Jake," said Pierre, " you haven't jioisoned tlie
bait, have you ? You know they can smell that dodge."

" I hain't pisoned it," answered the hunter ; " but I
guess you'll see soon enuff' what I'm up to. Secins
beleevin', they say."

The boys, perceiving that Jake was uncommunicative,
allowed the subject to drop; but they were nevertheless

vtiy .'in XI

trni)i)er in

as ]iv liad .'

laifl to be f

Til us sp(

(I'appcr, an

I't' their bu

Pierre ai

M lien they

.I;ike had '

They got u

river to till

iiiid with vi

pine, which

In this t

Woods aroui

the tough

kindled a bl

"11 this, an

hnmches ab

craekled, se

I>re.sently r

On these

hison were g

lire, spitted «

ployed they

" He hasn

' J Wonder h

1k''11 u-et him

liiiiiii

1!!^

!!!fll

h:Ml'TYIIANIti:i).

i(»:5

Kvyy Miixions to discover l»y wliat iiictlKxl tlu- old
trappfi" intended to cnpturo tlio wolverine, especiMJly
as lie lijul said lie did \H)t expect tlie trap wliicli lie had
laiil to be successful.

Thus speculating, they t'ollov/ed the example of the
tiai)[)er, .ind bestowed themselves ])enc'ath the shelter
(if their buH'alo robes and blankets, and soon fell asleep.

Pierre and his cousin overslei^t themselves, so that
when they awoke on the next morniiiLC they found that
.Like hail left the camp, and had not yet returned.
Tlioy got up at once; and when Gaultier went to the
river to iill the large kettle, Pierre shouldered the axe,
and with vigorous blows soon prostrated a dead i)itch-
pine, which he proceeded to lop into firewood.

la this task he was Joined by his cousin, and the
woods around re-echoed the riniJ'inLj of their axes upon
the tough and hard tree. The resinous knots soon
kindled a blaze, and the withered branches being placed
I'll this, and the larger portions of the trunk and
hraiiches above, a tire was soon made which roared and
crackled, sending up forked tongues of flame, which
presently reduced the logs to huge glowing embers.

On these the kettle was placed, and slices of the
hison were grilled on the coals, or toasted in front of the
tire, spitted on pointed sticks. While thus agreeal »ly em-
ployed they perceived Jake advancing among the trees.

" lie hasn't the wolverine yet, anyhow," said Gaultier.
' I wonder how he intends to take him. I don't ex[)ect
he'll get hiin, though, for all his 'cuteness.'

104

AiWoTI/hli' ATI HMI'T.

"You know," sjii<l IMunv, "lie siiid last iiiglit tluit In;
didn't expect to catcli hiiii so soon."

.lake now sat l>y tlie lire, an<l Pierre, seeing' liini in
JL^ood liumour, ventured to ask liiiii For tlie events of
]iis morning's trip.

" "I\viu' jest as I calc'hited," he replied. " The r()»(ilr
horecl a h<;le under the trap from the back, an' tuok
out as line a marten as I iver sot eyes on, an' Vw swA
a lot o' the critters. He Jest tore him to rau',L;l<'s an'
left a [>iece o' him hyur an' thur round the pen. lint
he'll try that dodge once too often. He tuck the h.iiL
too, but I cudn't sco whur he cached that."

While the party continued to eat their meal, a pack
of rud'ed grouse rose with a whir from some r(>ui;li
grass and sailed away over the trees, bui with indica-
tions that they did not mean to tly far. Old Jake.
uttering an exclamation, seized his ritle, and disappeared
in the direction taken by the birds. Before the buy>
could make any remark on this sudden movement, they
heard the crack of the hunter's rifle, and he presently
returned in a leisurely manner towards the tire, dangliiiLf
a grouse by the neck.

"This critter'll nudce a bait," he observed, as lie
resinned his meal, which he concluded in silence. The
curiosity of the young men was next aroused by seeiiii,'
the old trapper take from liis " possible sack " a piece
of stout M'ire about a foot in length, furnished at one
end with a strong hook, such as is used for sea-lishing
After some further rummaging he produced a similui'

liodk, whicl
tlic wire wi
to liis satisi
aid of a st
throat. Icav
Lest this
Mcatly undc
and wire ur
the bait, ho
I he same pc
The trap
to linger It
panions.

Early on
youths that
tiny did wi
his ingenuit
had been pr
larger than
short legs, li
sometimes
upon the gr
engaged wa;
of the huntc
They das
the animal
could atteni
body.

" I guess,

QVITK A SUCCESS.

lOft

lie

liook, wliich lie procoeducl to lasli to tlio otlxT cikI ot*
the wire \\\\}\ <k'er sinews, lluvinij aeconiplislieil this
to liis satisfaction, lie took up tlu* |)artii<l.L,a', and !•}' the
iiid of a stick he puslied one of tlie hooks down its
thmat. leavinL,' tlie other hook han;jin;:' fiop* its beak.

J^'st tliis niii;ht excite suspicion, he doubled the wire
matly under the bird's nock, and concealed both hook
and wire under the feathers. llaviuL; at len^jth adjusted
till." bait, he again left the camp, and ]ilaced the bird in
(he same position as on the previous occasion.

The trap was re-set, and .lake, not judL;in^^ it pru<lent
to lini^er long about the sj)ot, returned to his com-
panions.

Early on the following day he intinuite<l to the
youths that they might now accompany him ; which
tliey did with eager curiosity to ascertain the result of
his ingenuity. As they neared the spot where the trap
had been prepared, they perceived an animal something
larger than an English fox, stoutly made and with very
short legs, hobbling oil', but with such dilliculty that it
sometimes stopped altogether, and sometimes it lay
upon the ground and seemed to struggle violently. So
engaged was it in its own movements that the approach
of the hunters was unpcrceived.

Thoy dashed forward with a cheer which brought
the animal upon its legs in an instant ; but before it
could attempt escape three bullets passed through its
body.

" I guess, wolvy, ye're sorry now ye spiled Jake

lOG

"//CI IK / cAuaiiT irr

IJawken's meat," cried the old fellow, takiiiL;- up tlie
animal by the tail. — " See, young fellurs," he continued,
"this is how I cauglit the varmint. Ye seed nie put
them hooks in the partridge?" (The youths nodilt'd
assent.) " Wal, then, when this skunk kem along, he
jest tried his old game o' niakin' raggles o' the bait, an"
lie got one hook stuck in his mouth, while t'other hung
out in front o' his nose. I guess he didn't cotton to
that ornament, an' tried to stand upon it to drag it out.
That did the bisness, fur he jest hooked his toes to liis
nose, and couldn't make tracks nohow. I won't say,
though, that he wouldn't 'a made away, or k'astways
cached hisself ; but most likely 'twur aljout daybreak
he got caught, and so he hadn't the time. Anyhow lie
won't run agin this coon for one while. No! that lie
won't."

Here the old hunter chuckled loud and long at his
own superior skill in woodcraft. The wolverine was
next divested of his shaggy hide, and bearing tliis
trophy the party returned to the canoe.

It was yet early morning, for the hunters had been
early risers. As they had nothing more to detain them
at this place, they packed the canoe with all their
belongings, and with a certain amount of regret bade
adieu to a spot where they had sojourned liap])ily h'r
some days.

But an event soon occurred which banished the>e
feelincrs and tilled them with anxietv. For souie days
the weather had been intensely hot ; the gras:5 and

inoss W'
with tr(
had felt
it more
enabled
It Ava.*
tlieir US'
Avhei'e tl
f'njin tht
kindled,
I-iehind ;
cariboo 1
(ireil, and
hilt reco
among tl
" Kim
go far wi
So say
track of <
had no lii
Fur so:
as the n-
Here the
presently
''flight inc
swamp, w
with usae
tile W(Hid>
Despite

!l!i!

^ijiii:

A f'Anrnoo buck.

10/

t liis
Avas
this

1 »cen

tlieiii

their

l);\ile

tor

tlic^c

(hiys

untl

inoss wore dried up liy a scorcliing sun, ^vl»icll blazed
with tropic heat in a cloudless sky. The voyageurs
had felt the inconvenience of this, and would have felt
it more but that the nights fortunately were cool, and
eiialtled thcni to repose in comfort.

It was the midday halt, and the party, according to
their usual habit, had landed upon a shelving bank,
wheie the tall grass and foliage seemed tooti'er a refuge
iVoin the sutlbcating heat. Just as the camp tire was
kindled, a rushing noise was heard among the trees
behind ; and on looking round, the hunters beheld a
cariboo buck bounding along with great spee<l. Jake
lireil, and for an instant the buck faltered in his course :
hut recovering almost immediately, he disappeared
among the myriad stems of the forest.

" Kim along, young fellurs ! " cried Jake ; " he won't
go far with that pill in his immrds."

So saying, the old liunter rose, and followed in the
track of the buck with long strides, which the youths
had no little difliculty in keeping pace with.

For some distance the tracks were plainly marked,
as tlie ground was open and free from brushwood.
Here the hoof-marks were distinctly visible. But
presently the party found themselves descending a
sliglit incline which sloped towards a thick entangled
swamp, where tlie trees grew densely and were covered
with usiien, which gave a hoary and \enerable air to
tile Woods.

Despite the keenest scrutiny, all traces of the animal

108

THE CANOE BURNED.

II *

i
1

were here lost; and old Jake, OTumblino- his discontent

surrendered further search, and led the youths back to
camp.

As they approached the river they were niueli
alarmed by observing clouds of smoke curling among
the trees and inwrcathiug the forest in their innncnsc
folds. Quickening their pace, they soon reached tlic
scene, and fully realized the disaster Mdiich had occurred.

We have noticed that the spot selected for the camp
was among high grass, which had become bleached l»y
the fervid heat of the sun. While the party were in
pursuit of the cariboo buck, the lire had comnuniicated
itself to the dry herbage, and in a few moments tlie
flames had spread with lightning-like rapidity in all
directions. Already some trees at the verge of the
forest were ablaze, and their fierce crackling, in addition
to that of tne burning grass and weeds, made a noise
like the continuous rattle of musketry.

But what concerned the hunters more than au^ht
else was that the canoe, which unluckily had been
lifted from the water and placed on the bank to
facilitate the inspection of some slight damage occa-
sioned by a graze against a rock, had been wrapped in
the flr^nes, and was now completely destroyed.

By great good fortune the stores and furs had been
left on the slender strip of shingle which intervened
between the water and the camp, and had thus escaped
the fate of the canoe. Meantime the flames receded
from the spot, and gradually burned themselves out,

the inflaini

open spac(

Furtunatel

tliese beini

tlic main f(

The traj

pleasant pr

fort which

while at hi

them from

Dense fores

it would be

attempted c

The only

they might

jouriicy toM

they had li

another can

Vermilion o

"Thur's 1

eyther," sait

pression of

greenhorns

trees a pier

^Ve'll soon t

like a breeze

This appe

fit of dejecti

Jake's mam

AN UXPLEASANT PREDICAMENT.

109

the inflanuiiable vegetation being confined to tho small
open space in which the camp had been pitched.
Fortunately only some half-dozen trees took fire, and
these being detached at a considerable distance from
tlie main forest behind, the conflagrati(jn soon died out.

The trappers now found themselves in a very un-
pleasant predicament. They were many miles from the
fort which they had left behind them at the Forks,
while at least an hundred miles of wilderness separated
thein from Fort Chepewyan on Lake Athabasca.
Dense forest Vv'ould have to be threaded, through which
it would be almost impossible to force their way if they
attempted either to advance or to retreat on foot.

The only alternative w^as to construct a canoe as best
tlicy might, or a raft, on which to continue their
journey towards Fort Chepewyan. Once arrived there,
they had little doubt that they could procure either
another canoe or horses on which they could reach Fort
Vermilion on the Peace River.

"Thur's no need o' lookin' so bumfuozled about it
eyther," said old Jake, as he remarked the blank ex-
pression of his comp.'^.nions' faces. " I rcckin we're no
greenhorns out for a day's foolin' in the woods. Hyur's
trees a plenty, an' we've got our hatchets, I guess.
We'll soon trim np a raft that'll carry us down stream
Hke a breeze. Kim, fcllurs, git yer axes an' shove."

This appeal roused the youths f»'om their momentary
lit of dejection, and under the cliCery influence of old
Jake's manner they soon recovered their usual good

IJO

OFF ON A I: A FT.

.Spirits. They accordingly shouldered their axes aii<l
followed their veteran comrade, who was already
searching for trees suitable to his purpose. In such a
place these were not difficult to find. Eacli selected his
tree, and in a short time the ground was covered witli
logs of dry timber some eighteen or twenty feet in
length.

These were trinnned and flattened, and the necessary
number being at length prepared, they were conveyed
to the water's edge, uld Jake supporting the butt end
on his shoulder, Gaultier lending his aid in the middle,
and Pierre leadinir. Withes made from the roots of
the epinette tree and strips of bison hide lashed the
logs together, which finally formed a platform about
eighteen feet square.

On this were thrown the tender branchlets of the
firs, on which the voyageurs could repose in comfort
when not encjao-ed in naviojatinq; their raft. Two lonn'
slender poles were cut to steer with ; and having at
length finished their clumsy craft, and taken on board
the furs and stores, they shoved off' from the bank and

' a.

floated quietly down stream.

WIl.IiKli.NKs:
l!i»K\ .MOD

(Aiiiiioo m
THE e-AjiiiJo

— .TAKE'.S TV

For some d
with no fui
their raft,
aided by th
hanks. Rec
of the pines
warm sunii
many kind?
streamed of
occupants b(

High abo
hosom of t
blow from
fragrance o
under the in

Pierre, wh
civilization.

CHAPTER VTIT.

i:\<V I'ROOTtESS— FTTAflRAVCE OF THE AVOOPS — riERllE .S LOVE OF NATUUE—
Wri.liKliSESS JDVS — I'lEllUE AM) OAULTIEU's EAIU.Y BRINGINO-UI'— Til K
liiirKV MOUNTAIN' TIIAITEU— ROMANCE OF THE I'HAIRIES DYINO OUT — A
C'ARIIIOO m;CK— JAKE AND COCKNEY SI'or.TMMEN— I'IEKRE's ACCOUNT OK
THE CARIBOO— JAKE AND THE DUO-O ATIIEKER— I'IERRE's NOTES CONTINUED

—Jake's tutors— the woodland cariboo.

For some days the hunters descended the placid river,
witli no further trouble than was involved in steerinj,^
their raft, or occasionally poling where the current,
aided by their own negligence, sent them against the
banks. Reclining comfortably upon the fragrant boughs
of the pines, they dreamily drifted along, basking in the
\Yavra sunlio;ht, and notinj]^ with lano^uid interest the
many kinds of birds which peopled the water, and
streamed off its surface in alarm as the raft and its
occupants became visible.

High above, the sun shot fervid rays upon the quiet
bosom of the stream ; and whenever a puff of air
blew from the forest, it was laden with the aromatic
fragrance of the pines, which exhaled their perfume
under the influence of his beams.

Pierre, who had often been to the great centres of
civilization, where man strives with man in ceaseless

112

PT Eli RE'S LOVE OF NATURE.

competition for gain and bread, rotloctod, amid tlioso
scenes of silvan peace, how fortunate was his own
lot, which led him from the heartless, artificial atmos-
phere of civilized regions, to pass his life in the preseiicu
of that nature which he loved, and which carried aloft
his mind to its great Creator, as often as his eye resttMl
on the myriad works of his hand : — the vast forests
which, as seen from some vantage-ground, strotcliiMl
away into infinite distance ; here dense and green, level
on top as some richly-hued carpet ; there broken into
glades where single trees stood forth hoary with the
moss of centuries, and Mdiose contorted branches were
relieved against the dark background of pines : tlie
splintered peaks, the gray rock -built hills, girdled witli
forests and capped with changing mists and never-
melting snows : the level prairie ocean stretching' far
and wide, into whose boundless depths the summer sun
descends, leaving behind a sky of flame, changing into
shades which never have been classified ; while upon
the far-oft' verore the tall cjrass waves ao-ainst the l)ur-
nished horizon like the surgin2: of billows on a shoreless
sea. These were the scenes which the young trapper
yearned for, and it was amid their desert solitudes that
his heart could alone find rest.

Gaultier also was influenced by similar feelings. He
had been born in the woods of Canada, and from his
earliest days had manifested a disgust for civilization,
if that can be so designated which consists in outward
forms, a modish life, and the substitution of the arti-

fieial for

together, i

m which I

cade, the

through w

pierced by

lared vista

liy the sil

stately bu(

These sc

and filled i

fioin home

in a word,

nosR.

They ha

their veter;

in his own

youths thei

extinct — tl

A few of t

of the time

the encroa(

who stream

In a few

tradition of

the buffalo,

^lian. Aire

'piest over i

become hap

THE noCKY MOUXTAIX THAPPEH.

113

his
itioii,

arti-

fic'ial for tlio natural. Tlic cousins roamed the woods
tou'ctlicr, adnuring- and wondering at the sublime forms
ill which Nature presented herself — the thundering cas-
cade, the awful precipice, the vast silvan corridors
through which the winds moaned, the gloom of night
pierced by the lightning of the midnight storm, the pil-
lared vistas of the mooidit forest streaked and Hecked
]>y the silver beams which lighted the timid doe or
stately buck to pasture.

These scenes had impressed their young imaginations,
and tilled them with a love of nature which led them
from home to undertake long and perilous journeys ;
in a word, to live as hunters in the western wilder-
ness.

They had the advantage of some education, of which
their veteran companion was destitute. But still Jake,
in his own rude way, loved nature as truly as did the
youths themselves. He was one of a class now nearly
extinct — the brave, eccentric Rocky Mountain trapper.
A few of these orinjinals still survive the innovations
of the times, and year after year retire further before
the encroachments of the ever-increasing multitudes
who stream westward.

In a few years the romance of the prairies will be a
tradition of the past. Nay, the pig has already replaced
the buffalo, and the policeman has supplanted the In-
dian. Already has civilization nearly achieved a con-
quest over the wilderness ; but the world has scarcely
become happier. Perhaps Nature will be avenged, and

Ill

TUI'J COCKNEY SPiUirSMEN.

tliosc who reivl lier will, af'ter liaviii;^* exliansted tlio
physical resources of the country, turn upon and i\ii<l
each other.

Sunk in their reverie, the hunters allowed theiuselves
to drift with the current ; and on rounding an islet in
mid stream, they o])served, when too late, that they hud
been perceived by some large animal, of which they had
a transient glimpso as it bounded out of sight ainuiiij;
the trees on the bank.

"Wagh!" cried Jake; "this comes o' dozin', instead
o' keepin' one's eyes skinned. 'Twur mighty like a
cariboo buck ; an' we'd have got the critter, sartiii, il'
we'd been a leetle on the look-out."

" Well, it's not much matter," said Pierre ; " we lia\e
plenty of meat for the present, and it would have been
a pity to shoot the noble beast merely for its hide."

" I say with you, boss," replied Jake. " I ain't one o'
them fellurs as ur allers lettin' off thur riHes an' kill in"
off the game. They shud 'a l)een butchers — that's a
fact. Thur not hunters, leastways what this couu
means by hunters. I went out in the Rockies a few
years agone wi' two Britishers from London, or some
sich place. Wal, the way them two got on Avur a cau-
tion to see. 1 guess they never before seed game <»t'
any kind, to jedgc from the way they walked into the
bufflers. Ten a- day wouldn't do 'em, nor yet twenty.
They left tons an' tons o' prime meat a-rottin' on the
prairie, only takin' the tongues. Wagh ! it a'niost
makes me sick to think o' thur doin's !"

'Vou 1
(ianlticr.

"I hain
'they are

H'S, S.'

than tlic c

niv two vai

can" hoc. 1

latter. Vn

It is found

"f the coi

It is also 1

land. In ]

liMS liecn stti

ivL;'ions of

^pt'cts from

^^t'parate vai

'"' ahsohitel

iinw little re

Indians and

themselves a

^oine strikin

P'ly no more

"Jest so,"

1 ivckin.

to one o' the

••^^'ont collecti

wi' grassjuini

lunigiy one

]

TriK cm: moo.

115

'•You Imvc no caril)oo down in tlio States," said

(laid tier.

"1 liain't conicd across Viii," replied the trapper;
'• tliev are raal liandsomo beasts."

" Yes," said l^ierre ; " tliere are few liandsonier animals
fliaii the caril)oo. You know," lie continued, " there
aiv two varieties — the woodland and the Iiarren Ground
caiilti^o. Tlie former is considerahly larg-er than the
latter. Few animals have such an extensive ran^e.
It is found in Iceland, and along the northern parts
of the continents of Europe, Asia, and America.
It is also met with in Newfoundland and in (Jrecn-
laiid. In Europe it is known as tlie reindeer. It
lias heen stated that the carihoo frequcntin<j, the sterile
rft;ions of the Barren Grounds differs in some re-
spects from the better-known kind, and constitutes a
separate variety. Of this, however, no one seems to
lie absolutely certain. Indeed, I have often observed
liow little reliance is to be placed on the statements of
Indians and hunters on such subjects. These content
tlioinselves M'ith killino- the jxamc, and unless there is
some striking peculiarity observable in the animal, th(>y
pay no more attention to the matter."'

"Jest so," remarked Jake; "that's dreadful true,
T vockin. I wur once engaged as guide an' liunter
to one o' them buo;-Gfatherers from the towns as o-oes

"» O"

aliout coUectin' all kinds o' rubbish, an' fills thur pockets
wi' grassjumpers an' straddlebugs. \Val, we wur main

lumgiy one day, hevin' nothin' t-o chaw 'ceptin' the

1:^0 8

THE CARIBOO.

parncclK^ ()' Diir l('::,''j;ins ; an' tou,n"]i oliMwin' tliat iiv. T
calo'Iat(\ AVo k('[i' a niii^-lity sliarp look-out for Cinmo.
you iM'fc lii^li ; wlicn on a sudden, jest as wo i' is(> tin-
swell o' tilt' pcraira, Avliat shed I see but a small laihl
o' bulller 'itliin a liundcr yards o' us I ' Jehoslinjilmt I
] 5'elled, lettin' loose INuuicentrc at 'em, ' tliur's l»ui!lrr
for supper!' ' No, John ' (the critter allcrs callnl nii'
John), 'No, John; they an^ not bullaloes; tluy nro
hison. You should allers call thing's l:)y their pi-diici-
names.' Wal, I a'most fell otl' my hoss larlin at the
coon — com in' out on the peraira to tell this child wliat
wur a hulllcr! It's jest as you say, youn^- fcniii'," lie
continued; '■ thur's a manv as doesn't know half tlicv
purtends."

Pierre and Claultier lau,i;-hed loudly at the sample of
iL,moranco adduced by old Jake; and the former tlnii
resumed his account of the cariboo, to which both (t'
his companions listened with interest.

"The range of the cariboo," resumed Pierre, " ixti n-
sivc as it is, is of course limited to those regions wliicli
supply it with its favourite food. In Scandiuavia it
descends to the high table-lands as low as latitude W\
In fact, its ranixc is conterminous \vith the birch and
willow, and Mdth those lichens and mosses which con-
stitute the chief part of its sustenance. Of these the
Chidonia vavf/ifcrJiKi, or reindeer lichen, with one cv
two kinds of corvicnlarla and ceUxiv'ia, form the priii-
cipal.

"Great Columbus 1" intcijccted Jake, " wdiat"n thun-

der ur th

a pari 1)00

The v(

notie(^ Pi(

'• In \(

southerly

tilde 4:r ,

now beco

years sine

I louring p

Iili'iitiful ;

r hope it '

upon it, b

(leriiig sjic

animal lie

from the 1

a dense fc

probably

nients of

folhjwino- \
the Macke
tains, inchi
good sport;
exists on i
^Vhat a V
wants sup
him as a Ix
flothe then
arc manufa

THE CAllllWO.

117

linn-

di'i' nr tlioiii ' T n'lioss tlic lialf o' 'uin ortc-r clioko avoy
,1 fnrilioo ms I've scmmI !"

Tlio yonnpf Imiitoi-.s laui^licd, and Avitliout fiirtlicr
notico Pierre coiitiinie<l : —

" In Nova Scotia, ^vl^el•e tlie cavil »oo attains its most
soiitlici'ly limit, it has been seen at ( *ape Sable, in lati-
tuilf 4.'ro()'; but owing to ceaseless persecution it is
nnw becomiiiL;' scarce in that province, which a few
ycais since was noted for its abundance. In the neigh-
houriiin' pi'ovincc of New Brunswick it is still tolerably
plciitit'iil ; and in the extensive forests of that country

I hope it will long survive the continual attacks made
upon it, both by Indians, settlers, lumberers, and wan-
dering sportsmen. The head(|uarters, however, of this
iiniiiial lie on the north side of the St, Lawrence, where
from the basin of that river, far to the north, stretches

II dense fcrest-covered wilderness of vast extent, which
prohahly for centuries yet will defy the encroach-
ments of man. To the west of Lake Superior, and
iollowino' the line of the M'oods, its ran<:je trends towards
the ^lackenzie Valley, and, crossing the Eocky Moun-
tains, includes the x\merican Territory of Alaska. That
,!:;o()il sportsman and naturalist, Mr. Lord, states that it
exists on several ranges of hills in British Coknnbia.
What a vast number of the human race have their
M-ants supplied by this noble deer ! The Lapps use
liim as a l)east of burden ; they feed upon his flesh and
clothe themselves with his hide. Their rope and string
are manufactured from his sinews ; the hind furnishes

lis

77//; cmnioo.

tl.

itl

icm Willi iiiiiK .'11

\i\ M roars(i kill"! ot' cIkw

St'

Aiiu'i'lca, tlic Moiitain'MJils aii<l Nas(|ua])(M' lii'li.iii- (,i"
Labrador, the Milict'ti's and Micinacs of Noxa Scniiu
and New Di'unswick, tlic Donril's and tin; ( liijiru vjms,
and various other trilics oF tin- Xortlj-Wi'st 'iVrritoi \-,
make it contribute larL;'t'ly to thuir sulKsi.stt'ncc. I Imw
observed tliat the woodland cariboo is nuicli lai'^vi- tluiii
tlio animal t'requentin^L,' tlu; Jiarren (Jrounds. ( )f tliis
tliere can exist no doubt; but up(jn this diU'eivjiec ef
si/0 it has been attempted to found tlic tlieory of a dil"-
ference of species. I do not believe tliat any Midi
difl'eronce exists. Want of slielter and cons((|U(iit
exposure to t .e ri^^orous wiiiter of tliose roek-sdcwii
deserts, want of ade(piate food, and otlier circumstances,
have doul)tlessly dwarfed the animal until it mi-lil he
rei^^arded in the lijjfht of a separate variety. The bar-
ren Ground cariboo docs not penetrate far into tlie
forest-covered districts contiu'uous to its natural habitat,
preferring clumps of willows or the isolated groups of
dwarf pines which derive a scanty subsistence from the
sterile soil of those desolate regions. Its range stretches
far north, beyond the limits of the forest, end)racini;'
the shores of Hudson Bay and the various islands and
peninsulas which render the geography of the Arctic
coasts of America so confused and uncertain. As dc-
scribed by the traveller Erman, a reindeer closely
resemblinof that of Eastern America is used bv the
Tunguses of Eastern Asia as a beast of burden. 1 have
made a few notes," continued Pierre, " in this pocket-

U'S

•in-'

ami

•(•tic

,1c-

^clv

4.'

tlic
uivc
kct-

.ilHii,

* 51

I! '

liook, w
by the
as follow
" ' Til
elsewhc
brownis
patch 01
l>and of
" That
" I've of
his Ici^'S
to see, J
wliite as
wluir til
about it.'
" You
Pierre, " i
years. 1
general o:
correct."

MVal,]
tlie old In
" Jal^
You woul
adventure
am cortai
most iiisti
" I wish
edication ■

THE CARIBOO.

119

book, which I copied from the description of the cariboo
by the great American naturalist Audubon. They arc
as follows: —

'"Tips of hair light dun gray, whiter on neck than
elsewhere ; nose, ears, outer surface of legs and shoulders
brownish ; neck and throat dull white ; a faint whitish
patch on the side of shoulders; belly and tail white ; a
band of white around all the legs adjoining the hoofs.' "

" That account ain't true all round," observed Jake.
" Tvo often seed a buck, ay, an' throwed him too, wi'
liis legs an' back as rich a reddish-brown as you'd wish
to see, I guess, an' with his rump, tail, an' mane as
white as a snow-bank. Them book-makers hain't lived
wliur the game grows, I reckin, or they'd know more
about it."

"You do Audubon injustice there, Jake," replied
Pitire, " for he lived the life of a backwoodsman for
years. The description I have read for you is merely a
general one, and as such you must allow it is singularly
correct."

" AVal, I won't say agin it as far as it goes," answered
the old hunter ; " but the fellur orter say so, that's all."

" Jake," said Gaultier, " you ought to write a book.
You would have plenty of material in your long life of
adventures amono; the Redskins and wild animals. 1
am certain it would be a most amusing as well as a
most instructive work."

" I wish I cud write," replied Jake, " but this coon's
edication wur neglected. When I wur a little chunk

120

THE CARIBOO.

o' ci lad, a fclluv who used to come to 1113' fatlier's liousc
now an' agin ofi'cred to teach uie how to write an' read
ef we'd feed him while tryin'. Wal, the old man tliuit
it 'lid bf a fine thing to hev his boy able to read a
printed book, an' he agreed straight awa3^ But J
guess that fellur gev it up as a bad job. He said the
paper looked as if a drunken bat had dipped his claws
in ink an' sta£»'<j!'ered over it. He couldn't make head
or tail o' this nigger's list, you bet, an' so he Jest lied to
make tracks an' find another log to winter in. Ye-es,
that he hed."

Pierre and Gaiiltier laughed merrily at this termina-
tion of their companion's literary career. Presently
Pierre continued his account of the carib'M).

" ' It is in Lower Canada,' " he said, '■ ' and in the
woods of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, that this
deer attains its greatest development. Some have cnii-
sidered that it is an ungainly beast, thick-set and ill-
proportioned. But although it certainly loses by com-
parison with the more graceful species of the Cervidu', I
think these critics are too hard to please. I camiot
conceive a finer spectacle for a hunter's eye to rest on
than a band of these noble animals Ijonnding swifilv
through the woods from the presence of danger. Tlicir
fleetness and agility seem incompatiltle with the idea
of clumsiness of form. Probably those who conijilaiu
of the want of s^^nnnetry in the cariboo have nevci"
seen the animal in its wild state, trotting sjiringingly
with head and tail erect, and apparently braced iui

any exe

oil to un
the caril
.Some an
with a g:
a siniilai
Xcwfuun
size than
Ihit few
tur. Tiie
till i I' anr
fall, wlien
" ' As I
boo consis
ihii wintei
iiial uses
which pur
iiie \
t ion—ill t
has been
said that t
■sitates a cl
'i^ the mif
find sterile
Glials retrca
i'l'oni the
•^iU' ^vhie]l

tloul.t li(,t

i^ea.^oii the (

THE CARIBOO.

121

on
ilv

iluiu

nnv exertion, however arduous, whicli it iii<iy lie called
()U to undergo. It is a singular fact that the horns of
the cariboo vary considerably in difl'erent specimens.
Some are more pahnated than others, and arc furnislu'd
with a greater number and variety of points. There is
;i similar dili'erencc in the size of antlers : those of
Newfoundland and Labrador seem to reach a greater
size than is observable in the ordinary Canadian variety.
]>ut few old bucks retain their antlers during the ^vin-
tcr. The does and the young bucks, however, preserve
tilt ir arniaturo during that season. In spring they
fall, when the new antlers grow again in a short time.

" ' As I have already mentioned, the food of the cari-
boo consists in great ])art of mosses and lichens : and in
the winter, when these are covered with snow, the ani-
mal uses its hoofs to clear away that impediment, for
which purpose they are singularly well adapted.

'" The woodland cariboo has two seasons of migra-
tion — in the spring, and again in the autunni. This
has Ijeen accounted for in difl'erent ways. Some have
said that the scarcity of food in certain districts neces-
sitates a change of feedinLi'-ground. Others assert that
as the migrations uniforndy lead to the open plains
and sterile hill ranges, the prol)ability is that the ani-
mals retreat from the ceaseless torment that they sutler
t'roni the flies wdiich abound in the woods. 1 cannot
^ay Avhich is the true cause ; but I have ol)served, as 1
doul»t lint you have also, tliat even during the winter
sea^ou the cariboo often lea\es a locality quite suddenly.

122

THE CARIBOO.

" ' The various bands into which the great herds split
up gradually join together, and a district which to-day
holds great numbers of these animals may to-morrow Ik,-
destitute of a single specimen. 'J'he cariboo is an ex-
tremely shy animal, flying from the neighbourliuud
of man with instinctive fear. As he needs innncii>c
stretches of country for his distant migrations, and .is
he cannot bear the vicinity of civilization, and requires
his communications to be kept open, he will probably
soon disappear from those sections where his native
f(jrests are becoming circumscribed ^\ iUi a ring uf set-
tlements, and retire to the north of the St. Lawrence,
wdiere an illimitable wilderness stretches northwards.
offering a safe asylum. In fact, he has already disa[i-
peared from districts where a few years ago he was
abundant.

"'It is a curious circumstance that another animal,
also noted for its extreme shyness — the moose — should
in these localities take the place vacated by the cariboo,
Ijut it is nevertheless true. The moose does not raniiv
so nuich as the former animal, and hence d(.)cs not
require such vast extent of wild country for its sup-
port. On the contrary, the moose will increase and
multiply in the neighbourhood of roads and settleniLiits,
I'egardless of the distant chopping of the settler's axe,
or the roar of the cars along the railway, or the deep
bellow of the engine which echoes far through the
M'oods. The slightest scent of approaching man,
however, warns the moose to be oH'; aud shar}) as i^

]iis nose,
ness.

" ' The
furiii.shed
iH'thinL;' (
ceivcd.
added t.h(
and patiei
range. ] I
,uiay lielic
il' ill wint
anii bare
unpracti.sei
presence u
uncertaint]
chief cliari
to certain
the forest,
the rifle sh
Here en
coiui'ades v
inforniatioi
•^"Ived that
inunicate sc
^lowii by th
ohservation
■'statements
''I'l.v intimat
tli^' aniiiijiis

lllll!

ililillllliliiiill

A aOOl) PLAN.

123

mal.
oiiLl
iliuo.

not

sn|i-

cuts,
axe,
Jeep
the

,11 Kill,

lis is

liis nose, liis cars are scarcely inferior to it in aciite-
ness.

'"Tlie cariboo usually feeds down wind, and as lie is
furnished with a nose as sharp as that of the moose,
nothing" can follow on liis track without being per-
ceived. To the difficulty of getting within shot is
added the difficulty of seeing the cariboo, -when skill
and patience have at length In-ought the hunter within
ijinge. His colour so assimilates with the hues of the
gray lichen-covered rocks or the moss-clad trunks, or,
if in winter time, Mith the alternate flecks of snow
aii<l bare brown patches of the tree stems, that the
unpractised eye finds it almost as difficult to detect the
presence of the game as to stalk it. Yet the very
uncertainty of the pursuit invests it with one of its
cl.icf charms for the true hunter. For him w^lio looks
to certain slaughter as his reward, the shambles, not
the forest, is the proper place ; the pole-axe and not
tlie ritle should be his weapon.' "

Here ended Pierre's account of the cariboo. His
comrades expressed themselves much pleased with the
iuforiuation which he had imparted ; and it was re-
solved that the young hunter naturalist sliould com-
municate so much of the history of each animal brought
down by their rifles as he himself knew from personal
oliservation, or had learned from others on whose
statements he could rely, Pierre modestly disclaimed
any intimate acquaintance with the natural history of
tile animals of America ; but Jake insisted that " nary

124

Hiail COMMEND A TIoX.

a trapper as huVl ever run agin cud reel ofl' tlu.' inal
truth about the y-anic like liiui ; and though he kiu'w ;i
sight himself, he cudn't for the life o' him spit it uiil
like Pierre. "

The trapper bashfully agreed to the request, and tliu
subject dropped for the time.

l.VI:\IN(i o\ Ti

KA.vciK— nn

Till-; JlUDXK
Sl'OUT-fUN
lllA.\i.iK OF

It was noA

'"'Voud the
I'asca. TJK
ivllected ii
to have de
hreatlicd a
liver. Fi
water-fowl
or fi'oni tl
Iviix ill pill
These so-
failed to di
tives on eit
*^ii the Avest
tl.eii' trunks
t'li'own hv
l;uit 1 lends ?

CIIAPTEll IX.

i;vi:nini. ns Tin; atii.vuasca— i'ii:r.nK s iuci'mcctions— cami-- nii; M()(r->i; -its
K\N<a;— ITS .su.Mi!i;i!.s— NATURi; or it.s habitat- its FotHj—ArriiAit anci; oi'

Tin: .Mi»',)Si; — ITS IlAlilTS— MKTIIODS OF IIUNTINd TIIK MOOSK— I)A\(i I'.KOL'S
sroKT-CUNXINCi Ob' THK MDOHE — " CALLINU "— INTKIlLOt'Kfcr' ANTLLKS — A
CUANUi: 01' WEATIIKU— A HUT.

It \vas now evening, and the sun had already sunlc
beyond tlie forest on the western hank of tlie Atha-
liiisca. Tlie sky, however, was still aglow with the
ivtk'cted fires of the sunset, and a holy calm seemed
to have descended on the face of nature, livening
hreatliL'd a peaceful spirit on the forest and on the
liwr. From the distance came the mournful notes of
^vat(J^-fowl ; the cry of the shushiiga from the marshes ;
or fi'oni the depths of the forest the fierce yell of the
lynx in pursuit of hir; prey.

TJK'se sounds, however, occurring only at intervals,
failed to disturb the quiet of the scene. The stately
trees on either hand rose, silent and majestic, those
on the western bank silhouetted against the heavens,
tlieir trunks standing gray and solemn in the gloom
tlii'own hy the l)ranche.s, liefore and l.tohind, to dis-
l;iHt lieiids stretched the I'ivor. In-oad ami unrutHod bv

126

riERRK'S liEFLECTloyS.

3f
^4

rock or slioal ; iniiToring here the soinhru woods, aiKl
there gleaming witli the reflection of golden cloud or sky,

Tlie hunters lay reclined upon the carpet of tir
branchlets, each wrapped in his own thoughts, riiriv
gazed abstractedly down the level river which vauisli((l
round a pine-clad point: on the left side, deep in
mysterious shadows; on the right, giving hack the
Hush of the heavens, which faded slowly to a pale
and)cr.

His thoughts, however, were not lixc*! u[)oii tlic
scene before him, although they were tinged with iIh-
romantic melancholy with which the sight of di'st-rt
nature inspires those who are most susceptible of siieli
inHuenceH.

What could be the subject of the young trai)pev's
rellections ? Could it be that he was in love, and tliat
]\Iiss Frazer's was the image which haunted his iiiia^i-
nation ? That this was the case was rendered proljaMe
by the sigh that escaped liis lips as he roused himself
from his reverie, and suggested to his conu-ades the
propriety of landing for the night.

It was inticed high time, as daylight was fast givini;'
place to the shades of night. The interminable forest
shrouded both banks, and it was only after a loii!^^
search that the hunters found a spot sufficiently open
to make a site for their camp.

The raft was tethered to a tree, and the ordinary
preparations were made for their evening meal. A
huge fire, formed of the whole trunks of several dead

trees, the

on top, Sf

liospitablo

through tl

Lairs ^v

tan CO, and

kettle and

'dowiuii' 01

Pierre, ;

siipper-tim

of tlie moi

coniiterod,

self had hn

'•There ,

with the n

know. 8

peculiarly

'^ While

•Saskatchev

animal, wh

have n)rtdc

Collecting v

fi'oni actua

history, wi

of chase ii

I'esult in

manuscript

have collec

animals wh

IVIHU'

'oi'ot

lull!,'

upcu

THE MOOSE.

12i

tives, the la'andios and Avitlierofl sprays heiiii;' lioaped
on top, soon roared and flamed, castini;" a ruddy and
hospitable glow far down the dark vista which opt^ned
tliToiigh t,he forest.

Lairs were made round this at a comibrtahle dis-
tance, and the luinter.s awaited the hoiling of their camp
kettle and the grilling of their venison-ribs over the
L'lowinu' embers.

Pierre, at the request of his companions, occupied
supper-tiinc with some remarks on the natural history
of the moose, an animal which they had already en-
countered, and from which the young naturalist him-
M'lf had had a narrow escape.

"There arc probably very few facts in connection
with the moose," he began, " which you do not already
know. Still it is an interesting subject, and one
peculiarly appropriate to our present position.

'■ While I was at Toronto, after our retui-n from the
tSaslcatchewan last year, I made some notes on this
animal, which I will read for you. For some years I
have made a habit, as you, Gaultier, arc aware, of
collecting whatever information I could acquire, either
from actual observation or from works on natural
liistory, with regard to the animals which are objects
of chase in North America. I have preserved the
result in this volume," ho continued, producing a
iiiamiscript neatly and strongly bound in leather. " I
have collected particulars of almost all the principal
animals which are usually met in these territories;

128

THE MOOHE.

and if you can nnistov pationco to listen, J will iuav
fqvo you tlio result of my rcsoarclios with vc-thnI to
tli(! niooso. You will ol)servo that I have onl^- iKjtfd
liis more; salient fcaturos.

"To boi^'in then. The moose belonj^s to the suli-
family of the Alcinfo, or <'lks, which are charnctciixc'l
hv liavinix their liorns broad and ilat. Of this siili-
fjimily the typical representative is the moose. \\
first siL;ht lie seems an uni^'ainly beast, as lar^v as an
ordinary liorse, and with long disproportionod leu's,
wdiieli give him a shambling and awkward appearance.

" Tlie moose has an extensive range, being fouiiil
from the northern part of the Scandinavian peiiiiisnla
t^ Siberia, and thence passing over Behring Strait
into America, it extends to New^ Brunswick and Nova
Scotia. Formerly it was abundant in the State of
IMainc, and even in the northern portion of the Stnto
of New York ; but it has long disappeared tiience, ami
it is now doubtful if it is more than an occasional
visitor to the State of IMaine.

" Ceaseless persecution, in season and out of season,
by settlers and Indians, has thinned the numbers of this
noble animal, so that at present few individuals exisl
in localities noted for their abundance only a few years
since. In Scandinavia the limits of the elk (ftir tlie
European elk and the American moose are identical)
have been placed at 58° north latitude. It li;^'^
also been stated to exist in Finland, Lithuania, and
Russia. In Northern Asia it is plentiful in tlio im-

niense f

Olii and

"Aro^

land, cs]
io\V(,'r po

plentifid
as far ii
nujiihcrs
rivers. I
found in
previous
tliat regie
iiioosc is
caril)oo, w
tliafc of tl
tlie more
ill M-liieh
plentiful,
to olFer a
wants.

"To the
'•IS far to
'i^'re, as ej
"lerly lie y\
^'e lias nowl

"In con.s
^'1 Kurope,
the same i

TIIK MOOSE.

120

anil
qoual

?{\<on,
,)t' this
cxisL
years
or tlie
ntical)

Lt Ik^-^

a, au'l
10 iiii-

iiicnsn forests uliicli stvctcli along the banks of tlio
()l>i and of tlio Lena.

"A ivccnt traveller has noted its existence in Anioor-
land, especially thronL;-hont the country bordering the
lower portions of the A moor Iviver.

" Tn America its range is scarcely less extensive ;
plentiful along the course of the Mackenzie River,
as far north as latitude 00", it is found in great
nunihers in the forests of the Peace and neighbouring
livers. It is probable that to-day as many moose arc
found in the districts watered by the Peace as at any
jirevlous period since we have become acrpiainted with
that region. It is a singular circumstance that the
moose is not found in Newfoundland, although the
caiihoo, whose range is more or less conterminous with
tliat of the former animal, is there abundant. This is
tlio more uncaccountable, as vast stretches of pine forest,
ill M-hieh the swamp-maple, l)irch, and M'illow are
plentiful, cover large portions of the country, and seem
to ofi'er a home to the moose peculiarl3' suited to his
wants.

"To the north of the St. Lawrence the moose ran^-es
as far to the east as the Saguenay Pviver; although
lieve, as elsewhere, his limits have contracted. For-
merly ho was found as far as the Godbout River, but
lie has now deserted that localit}'.

" In considering the habitat of the moose, whether
sia, or America, we find the recurrence of

)pe,

le .same features — lonely pine forests intersected by

130

THE MOOSIJ.

iijiim

streams und .studded witli lak(.'s and s\vaiMi).s, wliidi
both atl'ord tlie recjuisito food and a i'efii;j;e from tlic
attacks of tlio insects from wliich tlie animal sull

t'lS

^a'eat annoyance. The l»ircli, the willow, the stiipiil
maple, as well as the shoots and fronds of several otlui'
kinds of trees and shrubs and the succulent loaves mikI
stalks of the pond lily, contribute to the subsistenci- of
the moose.

"In colour, tlie moose, in connnon with others of the
deer tribe, varies somcwliat with the season, and also
with the sex. The bull is a tawny brown on the
thighs, sides, back, and licad ; and in some speciiiiciis.
probably the result of age, this has dcoponeil until it
becomes a jet black. IJeneath the body the hair is
much lighter in colour. The cow is of a light sandy
colour above, which fades almost to white imderucatli.

"The calves of this species ?vq of a sandy hue, and
like the young of the ordinary itinerican deer, they are
spotted. 1'he spots in the moose, however, are so faintly
marked as scarcely to attract attention. As I have ob-
served, the moose is an un(:jraceful-lookina' animal. His
legs are long, while his neck seems disproportioiiattdy
short. His ears, which are a marked feature, are broad,
and nearly a foot in length. His eyes are small, and arc
capable of assuming a most malignant expression. Tlic
muzzle is square, and is deeply cleft, assuming tin'
appearance of being bifid.

" The upper lip of this animal projects beyond the
lower several inches, and is extremely prehensile.

i !

- -4
I 1*

h'Vj iK:\i

Witli t

l»OiiL;'h,s
within
' moufflr

in OS

t ]

tliroat

(1(

)Qn(h

<i(l lilts I
the nccls
farther.
" TJio
liaps its

and

0111

rror
til

four foot,
at sixty ]
"Thcf
year, tlic
knobs,
til

foot

c ao-0 c

and

palmate.

sovoiitli

formed

}

''ippoaranc(
leiio-th of

vonientl

y '

inaljilit_y h
'nil but (

(780)

THE MOOSE.

131

l:<l'

!> :

^^^r^n

|*.%VC

\h'.

'm^{

■■I,'. "sA^

WitJi tins orij;an tlio moose is able to liold on to the
lioii^'lis <and twigs of tall saplings, and convoy them
^vitliin the grasp of his powerful teeth. This lip, or
'niouffle,' as it is technically called, is the bonne hoitche
most highly relished hy the moose-hunter. On the
throat may be obs-Tved an excrescence from which
depends a tuft of coarse hair, which is common to
adults both male and female. A hogged mane covers
the neck and reaches as far as to the withers, or a little
farther.

" The horns or antlers of tlic moose constitute per-
haps its most striking feature. They are palmated,
and from the outward edge rise the tines or points.
From tip to tip these huge horns often measure rpiito
four feet, and a skull with antlers will turn the beam
at sixty pounds.

" The female is devoid of antlers. At the age of one
year, the young liulls are furnished with two small
knobs, scarcely more than an inch in length. At
the age of two, these have become elongated to one
foot; and in the third year they begin to flatten or
palmate. It is not until the bull has attained his
seventh year that his head is covered witli fully-
formed antlers, which then present a truly formidable
appearance. From his shortness of neck and his great
length of limb, the moose is unable to browse con-
veniently upon level ground. But from this physical
niahility he does not suffer nmch, as grass or lichens
form but a small proportion of his food. The shoots

(780)

'•ix

i'.

iiijilllji

132

THE MOOSE.

of hushes and tvcos arc liis natural Tare, and of tlioso
lie can partake witli ease.

"Ill April or ]\ray the calves are dropped. Some-
times only one is produced, sometimes two, or even
throe, make their appearance. The period duiiiiu'
which the young arc carried is the same as in the case
of domestic cattle — namely, nine months.

"During the hot season the bull, cow, and calves
remain in each other's company ; and again at tlic
approach of winter several of these families unite ami
form bands or small herds During the heavy snows
of winter these herds occasionally take up their quar-
ters in some particular locality and tread down the
snow over a largo space in the forest. These spots ai'o
known as 'moose yards;' and it is in such situations,
wdien discovered by the Indian or settler, that the
greatest destruction of moose takes place.

"Moose are hunted in various ways. These aiv
known as, ' still-huntina',' that is, stalkinij: the animal
by means of its tracks throuo-h the forest; 'calling,'
which consists in alluring the bull within ran^e, hy
imitating the bellow of the cow. This requires tlu'
nicest skill, and no one except an Indian of experience
can hope for success in this branch of the art. The
moose is also overtaken in the snow by tiie hniitev
who is provided with snow-shoes. These preserve
him from sinking, and he can progress with groat
swiftness, M'hilc the moose flounders heavily alono-,
plunging up to its thighs at every stride, and soon

hceon
snow
i»encal
legs ai
TJjJs ir
"Th,
nist. '
while }
goring.
I'eti'eafc

concentr
•1 well-di
"Insta
^I'ls mot
tmod hy
i'^-'et, and
Jors of th
'ii'e not
possible

interest
'la Hi

■orou«

•s ni]

til

■•^cutc,

■specij
an(]

"-' power

ci'aeki

mo-

G rnsti

"onv

^y^d tl

THE MOOSE.

133

mi null

JilVnv4'
U, I'V

U ^^^^'
,^viellce

The

Ihniitt'V

Ivoserve

h oTcat

along',

kl soon

becomes oxluiustod. This occurs all the sooner if the
snow be covered with a thin icy crust, wliich breaks
beneath the weight of the animal, and lacerates his
legs at every step, staining the snow with his blood.
This method is called ' crusting.'

" The moose, wlien n.t bay, is no despicable antago-
nist. With his fore feet he can deal destructive blows,
while his ponderous antlers are used for tossing and
goring. When the animal, perceiving that further
retreat is useless, stops and faces the hunter, licking
his lips, and throwing into his little eye a blaze of
concentrated malice, it is high time to end the scene by
a well-directed bullet.

"Instances have been known in which the hunter
has met his death in these encounters — his ribs frac-
tured by the powerful blows administered by the fore
feet, and his whole body gashed and torn by the ant-
lers of the infuriated animal. Luckily such instances
are not numerous ; but the consciousness of their
possible occurrence invests the sport with a degree of
interest and dignity of which the pursuit of less
danu'erous Q-ame is devoid.

"As might be inferred from the size of the ear in
this species, the hearing of tlie moose is extremely
acute, and is only inferior as a detective of danger to
tlie power of scent in the capacious nose. The slightest
crackling of a dried stick beneath the hunter's foot,
the rustling of the underwood against his person, are
conveyed to a great distance in the forest, and apprize

134

THE MOOSE.

tliG wary moose of the approacli of danger. It is only
(luring a lieavy down-pour of rain tliat tliis exquisito
perception of sound seems to become dulled, and ;it
such times tlie hunter may hope to approach unheard.
The direction of the wind is, of course, of vital import-
ance in the approach, and this is always ascertaiiii'fl
before commencmg operations. The moose, before it
lies down to repose, usually describes a semicircle,
crouching within a few yards of its original tracks,
well concealed by sheltering brushwood.

" Thus the hunter, when pursuing its traces, passes
unconsciously within a few feet of his hidden game,
which escapes while its enemy is puzzling out its trail
round the deflection from its former course.

" The rutting season commences about the beginning
of September, and at this time rival bulls engage in
deadly encounter, for which their huge antlers, now
perfectly formed, are well suited. It is an exciting
moment for the moose-caller on a still autumn night,
when he hears the distant bellow of the bull and the
noise of crashing branches, as the cfiixantic animal
forces his way through the tangled forest, or smashes
the withered rampikes with his massive horns. The
attendant Indian raises the cone of birch bark to his
lips, and with well-feigned imitation of the call of
the cow, hires the ludl within range of the hunter's
rifle.

"In districts where they ai^e not often disturljed,
moose will readilv answer the Indian's call ; but when

(he fo

cuutio

sound

when

seem t

catch t

"I 1

later ii

end of

the jun

ac(|uire(

that th

readily

a distan

their b(

eiideavo
cow.

"At tl

hunter,

of caati(

rest of t

hunter

<ind bell

chari''iiio-

with 8h£

proper fi

and reck

" Souk
^hstrict ]

THE MOOSE.

13.')

ii;-ht,
the
iiinal
Lslies
The
hi^
11 of
iter's

the forests have been iniicli liiintcd, few animals arc so
cautious. The slightest variation from the natiu'al
sound will cause the wary beast to disappear ; and even
when he has advanced fearlessly he will sufldenly
seem to be seized with suspicion, and make a detour to
catch the wind of the crouching hunter.

"I have observed that young moose are somewhat
later in their season than their elders. Towards the
end of October tlie latter have left the scene, and then
the juniors, bulls of two or three seasons, seem to have
ac(|uired more caution — perhaps from tlie reflection
that they are left to their own resources. They will
readily answer the Indian's lure while they are yet at
a distance ; but on approaching more nearly they cease
their bellowings and sneak cautiously along in the
endeavour to catch the wind or get a glimpse of the
cow.

" At these times the least sound betrays the hidden
hunter, and the game noiselessly retires. The excess
of caution which characterizes the moose during the
rest of the year seems to desert him in the fall. The
hunter at this season will often hear his mutterino-,s
and bellowino's as he crashes through the forest, often
charging brakes of withered trees, whose branches tly
with sharp reports before him. He is now in the
proper frame of mind to answer the birch-bark call,
and recklessly advance to his destruction.

" Sometimes moose, especially if numerous, and in a
district not much disturbed, have regular beaten paths

13G

THE MOOSE.

leading tlirough tlic woods towards the bogs and
Ijarrens wlucli they frequent, and to which tlioy betake
themselves when retreating from danger. These patlis
arc in some plaees very plainly marked from tlic
passage of the animals ; they are also used by bears
and other beasts of prey, whose tracks may be observeil
wherever the ground is soft enough to receive tlie
impression.

" When wanderin!:^ throuci'li the woods, I have on
several occasions found the skeletons of two moose,
whose antlers had become so finnly interlaced in their
encounter, that, unable to extricate them, the animals
had perished miserably face to face. I have also found
the interlaced horns of the wapiti, which had doubtless
met death in the same manner. In the hot season the
many species of parasites and insects — such as mos-
quitoes, ticks, black-flics, and breeze-flies — drive the
moose to the lakes and the forest ponds, where they
may sometimes be seen standing immersed, with only
the head and antlers above the surface of the water.
I have even seen a moose in this position frequently
submerge his head completely ; perhaps partly to rid
himself of his tiny persecutors, and also to drag up the
tendrils of the yellow pond lily, which I observed ho
sometimes brouoht to the surface.

" I have now," concluded Pierre, " read you all the
notes which I have made on this most interesting
animal."

" Wal, young fellur," said Jake, " that's jest the kind

o' boo]
a'niost
1 like

I'd IK.'V

( Jaul
Pierre',';
amusen
periiiitt

^.'il'•h

swept s
into rif
faint, \
vapours
scattere
the wrf
dismal 1
night.
Tills
had tak
fore ma
pending
the unci
<i' the
tin-own
ly a bi
secure t

'"lie c

The

.1 sToiiMY Niairr.

I IV,

kiiKl

o' book tills nig-gev 'ud like to be able to read. Tin
a'niost Sony now I didn't lani while I had the cliance.
1 like to hear about the woods an' the game; 1 do.
1(1 never git tired o' listeniii' to that sort o' leadin'."

(laultier also expressed himself much pleased, and
riciTe's notes were thenceforth regularly read for the
anuisement of the trappers whenever their situation
permitted.

Xight had now fallen darkly on the forest. The
!'-low had left the heavens, and in its stead huge clouds
swept swiftly across the sky, liere and there breaking
into rifts through which the stars gleamed wan and
faint, to be immediately eclipsed by the drifting
vapours. Sudden gusts rushed through the trees and
scattered the sparks and smoke of the camp lire, while
the wrathful chirrup of the little red S(piirrel, and the
dismal hootings of the owls, seemed to portend a stormy
night.

This change was so sudden, so unexpected, that it
liad taken the hunters quite by surprise. They there-
fore made what preparations they could for the im-
pending down-pour. After considerable dilliculty in
the uncertain lio-ht of the lire, a hut was constructed
< f the boughs of the spruce lir, and over this was
thrown the skin of the moose, overlapped at the joining
by a buffalo robe. Poles were laid against these to
secure them from being blov»'n oil' by the frecjuent
gnsts.

The camp fire was next replenished with enormous

138

SOUND ASLEEP.

logs, which required the c aibiiiecl streiigtli of tho
party to lift. Amid the first descending drops of tlnj
storm the hunters retired to their hut; and despite
the howling of the winds and the descc^nt of a pitiless
deluge, they slept soundly until morning.

.1 1:

ill

II((W TO MAFC
A rlNNI.N

(■n;i;i:i; i-

UAILTIKI
A i; LAV El
AM) TWn
<IAMK LIS

PiKRRE ^\

preceding

bri-litly,

.'lir above

tliilly, am

together

ai'uund fo:

M'as no c

trees and

.slime. A

to find a i

able angle

the axe ]

i;'aiiie-bag

are the \

lire.

ClIAPTEH X.

now Til MAKK A KIIIK — JAKK's I'ROl'OSITIOK — A DAY's SQUIKRET, - IIITNTINCI —

A crNNiNC! sciUiuuiiL— Jake's di.sou.st at iiih failuue— siiAiip aiiuoTiNd—

IlKllUE EMULATES JAKE's SKILL— A (iOOD HHOT— THE CANADA PORCUI'INE—
liULTIEU SHOOTS THE I'OUIUI'INE — THE HUNTERS DISCOVER TWO LAKES —
A IJKAVEU SETTLEMENT — A DERATE — ITS RESULT--A FOREST AVALK— SUNSET
AM) TWILiailT — POX-I'lE — 1'IERRE'S ACCOUNT OF THE S(iUIRKEL~iI. REVOIL'S
(lAME LIST.

PiEitP.E was the first to awake. Tlie clouds of the
preceding night had rolled away, and the sun shone
biiglitly, although wreaths of mist still liung in the
uir above the course of the river. The morning was
cliilly, and the young trapper shivered as he raked
together the embers of the camp fire and searched
aruund for some dry fire-wood to start a blaze. This
was no easy task, as the rain had soaked the dead
trees and converted their " touch-wood " into a dirty
sliiiic. After a little search he w^as so fortunate as
to find a dead pitch pine which leaned at a consider-
able angle against a slender spruce. A few blows of
the axe prostrated both, and Pierre soon filled his
game-bag with the resinous knots of the pine, wliicli
are tlie very best things for kindling a reluctant
lire.

140

AN AO'JlEL'AllLh' PIlOPOSAL.

Witli tliesc lie returned to the cfimp, and witli tlic
aid of Jake and Oaultier he soon e.stal)lis]ied a Ma/c
tl»at made the lar^-e kettle bubl)le merrily. Viiii-mi
was roasted on the coals, and by the time that the
sun had fairly climbed the sky and looked douii uikhi
the Atliabasca, our hunters were en^-aged in the cuii-
genial task of satisfying keen appetites.

After breakfast the party evinced no immcdintc
desire to continue their journey. Jake cut a phi;^-
from a largo chunk of "James River" tobacco, ainl
having placed it in his mouth, he eyed the seciir in
a conteinplative manner. Caultier b;:siL'd liimsclf
in arranging some fishing-tackle with wliich he
meditated an attack on the tinny denizens of the
Athabasca. Pierre reclined upon a bearskin in tln'
doorway of the hut, and gazed vacantly at the rivci'
through clouds of tobacco smoke.

Jake was the first to break silence. " I sav, felhu's,'
said ho, " we've been lucky lately in gettin' a lot o'
furs an' meat. I kinder feels lazy to-day, an' ef ye've
no objection, I votes for stayin' hyur an' rcstin'. Wc
mout hev a squirl-liunt or somethin' o' that sort jest
to keep us from mopin'. What d'ye say ? "

It is needless to say that this arrangement chiined
in nicely with the feelings of the young men. It ^va.s
accordingly arranged that a squirrel-hunt should foiiu
the chief feature of their dny of rest. For this purpose
the woods on the opposite side of the river seemed
most suitable, as they consisted chiefly of deciduoua

trees, V
uii'ierwc
To th
secured
found til
uiiks, aiK
eyes aroi
"Jlywi
word, tli(
and pullt
Ii;id beer
Seeing t
finite flat
and so ei
the deadl
from the
"Dote
little cha
I'm- loni"-
addrcssin;
The yo
eonscious
I'l'ove fat
■H'lf (juite
^0 el e verb
to believ
I'ierre's a;
f ierro mo
Ituund

• .t..'i

ilflljiiiii

SQ uin iiKLii I 's Tiya

141

trcos, with many bevvy -bearing bushes among the

Ullili'I'NVOUt.l

To tliis side, tlien, tlie vat't was divecteil, and havini^^
secured it to th(^ bank they landed, and presently
iuiiiid themselves among the dappled shades of beeches,
uiiks, ami bii'ches. They had not long cast inquiring
(■yes around the branches when Jake exclaimed, —

• llyur's for pot-pie ! " and suiting the action to the
^\•()nl, the old trapper drew Plumcentre to his shoulder
ami ])ulled the trigger. IJut the nimhle little scpiirrel
liad been quicker than the hunter had bargained for.
.'^(■ciuLf that he was discover d, he laid himself out
quitu flat along the branch upon which he was perched,
iuid so etfectually interposed it between himself and
the deadly weapon that the bullet glanced harndessly
from the bouu'h, scatterini:^ leaves and bark in the air.

" Do tell ! " cried the trapper in amazement ; " that ur
little chap's the fust varmint that has beat this coon
Fur long enufF. Do ee try him, lad," he continued,
addressing Pierre, " while I slap in the fodder."

The young hunter raised his ritie ; but the s(|uirrel,
conscious that the least exposure of his body would
prove fatal, slipped round the branch, rendering him-
self (juitc invisible. So active and alert was he, and
so cleverly did he change his position, that it was hard
to believe he was really there. Gaultier came to
Tierre's assistance, and kept watch on one side, wdiile
Pierre moved round to the other.

Pound as before came the airile little animal, but to

142

A LITTLE DLS(,'(/STt:i).

liis dismay liu perceived the death-beariny" tube Irvdlnl
at bill! on this side also. But before Pierre could ;_;vt a
correct aim tlie squirrel shot down the brancli with tlitj
rapidity of light, and having gained the trunk, dis-
appeared into a hole which decay had worn in the tivc

"Well, really," said Pierre, "the little brute deserved
to escape. But if they are all like that, I fear oiu' pic
will not be a large one."

"To think o' the little skunk not comin' down when
I pulled upon him," said Jake. Tain't a many var-
mints as kin boast o' that, I kin tell him. Mav an
owl cat him! I've wasted a load upon him, and 1
can't spare so many o' theiit ! "

"Never mind, Jake," said Gaulticr; "you can ease
yoiu" mind on the next squirrel wc meet. See ! there "s
one over there, on that oak branch that shows bare
over the little birch."

The veteran hunter turned his eyes in this direction,
and suddenly stopped.

' Now," said he, " Pll wager this rifle ngin a plug o'
bacca that I fetches that squirl out o' his boots, an' not
touch a ha'r o' the varmint at that."

" I have heard of the shot," replied Pierre, " but I
never saw it done."

" I hev, though," answered Jake. " I've seed this
nigger do it afore ; an' years agone, when I wur a little
shirt-tail boy, I've seed it done often by my old man.
Hyur goes ! "

The young men watched the result of Jake's aim

with intr
whieh th
dose to
stn?i him
favourite
pioneer b

After

ti'a|iper's

at the d(

perch nn(

speedily ]

him on tl;

'■ That'^

ho held iq

C(jmpanioi

like to sit

The yo

vanced a

searching

fell to P

livalry in

Jake. H^

si lot by ai

The sqi

upon a sn

to the ma

to test th(

was fully

greater th

SIlMir SUnOTING.

143

1jut I

A\ itli iiitorost. His ol)j('ct was to strike tlic tree a^Miiisfc
Miiicli tlic s(HiiiTL'l ivstctl, as he sat upon tlie boiij^h, so
close to tli(! animal's head tliat tlio concussion would
stun liini ami throw liiui to tlio "jfroinid. This was a
fiivonrito shot with th(» celchratod Daniel ]»oono, the
[lioiiecr hack woodsman of Kentucky.

After a careful aim, the sharj) crack of tho old
trajtpt'r's ritle was hoard. The hark flow from tho troo
lit tho desired spot, cand tho squirrel Ieape(l from his
perch and fell headlong to the pfround, whore ho was
speedily pounced on by tho old hunter, who knocked
liiiii on the head with the liickory ramrod of his ritle.

'That's what I calls clean shootih " he remarked as
lie held up his prize by the tail for the inspection of his
Companions. "I wouldn't 'a made it, neither, only I didn't
like to sit down with the miss I made a while a^^one."

The youths complimented the hunter, and they ad-
vanced again, keeping their eyes well employed in
soarehinu" the surroundinnf branches. Tho next shot
fell to Pierre's lot. Pierre tacitly acknowledged a
I'ivalrv in the matter of shootinu- between himself and
Jake. He was therefore anxious to cap that worthy's
shot by another precisely similar, if possible.

The sfpiirrol which next presented itself was seated
upon a small branch high up in an aged oak, and close
to the main stem. Ho thus formed a mark well suited
to test tho accuracy of the hunter's aim. The distance
was fully sixty yards, and, in fact, this was somewhat
greater than the ranofc at which Jake had tired.

■t I

Ill

A (,'()(>/) SHUT.

lovrc s

lowl'

(I 1

V raised his rill(\ aiKl lixiiiL!' Ins v\o on

I (i

tlic lino uli'u'h schmiumI to dividt* tlie nnimars licnd fioiii
tho (ivo trunk, ho t(n)k a stt^ady aim and (iicd. A
M'liito mark sliowcnl out instantly at tlio exact sp<it,
and tlio sqiiinvl losinn' Iiis l)aJ;nu'i\ apj^arontly ^vi(l> tin'
sliock, fell from ilio branch, and from l)()ii>j;1i t() 1)oiil;1),
until finally it fell \vitli a dull tliud ujion tlie ea;tli.
The bullet liad not injured the animal, although a small
]->atch of fur had been shot away from the side ut" its
liead.

This shot cannot be performed unless the s(|uin'e] is
actually in contact with the tree. The shock MJiicli
the tree receives on being struck by the bullet is coiu-
numicjited to the squirrel, which, under favoiiralilc
circumstances, is stunned and dislodged from its porcli.

The hunters continued their sport for some tinu'
with varying success. Nearly a dozen S(|V.ivrels had
been consigned to the capacious bag wliich old Jake
carried over Ids shoulder, when, on halting beneath
the branches of a large pine, a rustling among the top-
most bouo-hs attracted their attention. It did not
seem to be occasioned by a squirrel, as that little
creature is so nimble and careful in its movements as
scarcely to rustle a twig. By a close scrutiny the
hunters distinguished a dark mass at the top of the
tree ; but so uncertain were its outlines that they
could not determine what animal lav hidden there, nor
its probable size.

After some hesitation it was resolved that one of the

]iai'ty si
whil(^ il
(iaultiei'
young J
hranclio.'
preseidh
fell at tl

"J. 'ho
lam t V
ste\V.
porcupin

The p
await th(
look on J
into the
some hai
the crest
the desc(
swept th
the deci(
the ascen
like brar
valley be
course.

Upon 1
that the
were tho.'
clown thr
of mound

77//; CANADA I'OIKfirpINK.

1 If)

]iar(.y slioiiM lir(' ;ib tli(^ ('<'iili'ti of Uic op.aqiK; luxly,
wliilc ili(> otlu.M's r('S('i-v(Ml ilicii- sliols in cfiso of ti('(!(1.
(laiilticr cliiinu'il tin; lirsl, cliaiirc, and .acnordinn-Iy tlio
yoiin^" liuntcr tlu'cw n]) his rillc^ and lirc(l. Tim
ltriiii('lH\s innnodiaicly Ix'canu! nnicli a,L(itaic<l, and
pivs(>ntly tlio <lai'k mass sli])[)('(l from its position and
IVll at tlioir feet. It was a (^anada porcupine.

"Jcliosliapliatl " ci'ie(l ,jak(», " liyur's (juills a-plenty!
'Tain't Avastc iioitlier, .1 i^ness; lic.'U mai>:(! a fiistrate
stew. Many's tlio time; i'\(' closerl my teetli on
porcupine, an' tlnir not sicli bad eatin'."

Tlie porcupine was tlierefore linni^- np in a tree to
await their return, and the hunters, keeping" a sharp out-
look on all tlie neij-'lihourinix bouuhs, advanccMJ decsper
into tlic woods. Tlie ground gradually rose, and after
some lialf-liour's walk the party found tliemselvcs on
the crest of a ridj^c where the tim])er <j^yqw tliinly. On
the (k)sccnding slope a iirc liad at some former time
swept the woods, which liad lierc consisted of" pines,
the deci(hious trees not extending Ijeyond the top of
the ascent ; and tln^ougli their Lleached and skeleton-
like branches the sparkle of water was visible in the
valley below. Towards this the hunters directed their
course.

Upon reaching the bottom of the hill, they perceived
that the waters which had attracted their attention
were those of a small lake, fed by a stream that flowed
down through the woods at the upper end. A number
of mounds, like low, untidy haycocks, protruded above

146

A BEAVER SETTLEMENT.

the surface of the lake, and at one extremity tlio vater.^
fell with pleasant murmur over a clam constructinl of
the stems and branches of small trees.

It was a beaver settlement, and the lake was tlic
result of the labours of the busy community, A\]iic']i
had obstructed the stream and caused it to ovcrllow its
banks. None of the animals were visible ; but as tlio
hunters pushed their way through the tangled masses
of fern which margined the water, several hoavy
plunges were heard, and the ripples upon the quiet
l)Osom of the lake showed the direction taken by tlio
beavers towards the subaqueous entrances of tlieir
dwellings.

This settlement was not a lar^-e one, as scarce! v .i
dozen houses were to be seen ; but Jake said tliat
during the summer beavers would leave their ordinary
place of abode and ramble off to a consi(leral)le distance,
leadimx a vaii'abond existence for some montlis, when
they would again return to head-quarters. He was
inclined to think, from the size of the dam, tliat it
must have been constructed by a greater number of
animals than one could infer from the number c)f
lodges, and that consequently many members of tlio
community were away on their holiday.

But what could account for the absence of tlieir
houses? This difficulty was suggested by Pierre. It'
the beavers had existed here a short time before, ami
had left the place temporarily, their houses would
remain as evidence of their habitual residence.

MVal,

can't exa

n^und, an

The hii

the nppei

from the

•sides, pre

hirches an

the tracks

Continu

upon and

considerab

lake quite

Tliere were

of the ani

with all th

This di.s

hccn snow

was an off!

hers had d(

illy their

lip in life f(

A qnesti

They were

IV'aco Rive

country, wl

of furs. H

tinue their

li'id already

(7S(i)

.1 DEBATE.

14<

ilu'ir

It'

nivl

vouUl

""Will, that's so, sure eniiff," replied the trapper; "I
can't exactly flf,au-c it out yit. We'll take a walk
rijinul, an' mcbbe we'll find out the reason."

The hunters therefore directed their course towards
the upper end of tho lalvC, where the stream issued
from the woods, down a glen with smoothly-sloping
sides, prettily wooded with pines, interspersed with
Itiichcs and maples. Along the banks of this stream
the tracks of beaver were very numerous.

Continuing to ascend the glen, the party soon came
upon another dam, beyond which the glen became
considerably wider, the open space being occupied by a
lake quite as large as that which they had just left.
There were D-reat numbei ^ of beaver lodo;es, and several
of the animals themselves w^ere seen swimming about
with all the boldness of conscious security.

This discovery explained the difficulty which had
been suggested by Pierre. The colony down stream
Avas an offshoot of this larger community, whose mem-
bers had doubtless assisted the emiOTants in construct-
ing- their dam. In fact, they had enabled them to set
up in life for themselves.

A question now presented itself to the hunters.
They were on their way to the head waters of the
Peace River, with the hope of reaching a good game
country, where they trusted to collect an ample stock
of furs. Here w^ere beavers in plenty, and why con-
tnuie their journey in search of that which accident
bad already thrown in their way ? The only difficulty

(T8(i)

¥■

148

JAKE CARRIES THE DA Y.

was the question of time. To break up the jonrnov,
set up camp, and begin trapping in this region, wr^uM
entail the loss of much time. Besides, it is surprising
liow easily under such circumstances persons luun^v
the days away, and finally find the further prosecution
of an expedition impossible.

Jake was in favour of staying, and " clearin' out the
critters right away ; " Gaultier was neutral ; wliilc
Pierre, perhaps from impatience to arrive as soon as
possible at Mr. Frazer's Fort, voted for continuing tlit^
journey.

After considerable argument on both sides, Jako
finally carried the day. It was therefore dctorniiiieil
to camp in the neighbourhood of the Twin Lakes, as
Gaultier called them, and to prosecute an attack on
theiv amphibious inhabitants.

Having finally settled this matter, the three hunters
left the lakes and proceeded towards the camp, wliicli
was several miles away tln^ough the woods. So iiuich
time had been consumed durinix the morning hunt, ami
in the subsequent examination of the lakes and beaver
dams, that the declining sun was already boginnini,^
to throw long shadows, and shot his beams niiilway
through the foliage. The pools of the stream that con-
nected the two lakes, which at an earlier hour haJ
received a golden tinge from the sunlight, now wlieele<l
in inky eddies round the stones, or flowed gloomily
along beneath the pendent branches of the birches.
The summits of the trees still confessed the influence

of till' (]p

(lull gray

beneath tl

The hu

tliemselvei

Iiut (larkn

As tliey s

tangled br

forest add I

(li.smallv a

ill seai'ch ^

iittercMl hi;

were hcar(

veil of the

At lengt

was out, 1)1

embers, wit

Gaultier w

the squirn

having firs

Under t

these sneci

■^hape of {

excellent;

themselves

The nig]

could ropns

pine top.s ;

^vell ,satisfi(

A FOREST WALK.

149

Diivnoy,
, wouLl
■prising

iccutiun

out the
; ^\iulc
soon as
iii'j' tlio

s, Jako
orinineil
iakus, as
tack on

luintevs
-), Avliicli
>o much
nut, anil

l)eaver
'•••inninii'
midway
hat con-
our hail
-wheck'd
i-h:)onnly

l)irchcs.
nfluence

of tilt' (loparting luminaiy, Init in a f(^w miimtcs the
(lull pjvay light M-hicli rendered objects indistinct
beneath the shade of the forest crept gradually upwards.

The hunters qnichencd their pace in order to avail
themselves of the twilight in their walk towards cam]>,
hut darkness enveloped them Lefore they reached it.
As they stumhled along over roots and through the
tangled brushwood, the various nocturnal noises of the
forest aihled to the wildness of the scene. Owls hooted
dismally as they swept the glades on noiseless wing
in search of mice or squirrels. The great eagle-owl
uttered his maniac screams, while from the distance
were heard the sharp bark of the fox, and the wild
yell of the lucifee as it bounch-d in pursuit of its prey.

At length the hunters reached tlieir camp. The fire
was out, but a search among the aslies discovered some
embers, with the aid of which it was speedily rekindled.
Gaultier was cook of the expedition, and to his charge
the squirrels were now consigned, Jake and Pierre
having first helped to skin them.

Under the clever manipulation of the young cook
these succulent little animals soon reappeared in the
shape of a savoury pie, which his comrades voted
excellent ; and in proof of their sincerity they helped
themselves to the appetizing mess again and again.

The night was dry and balmy, so that the hunters
could repose comfortably in the open air on beds of
pine tops ; and as they lounged round the cheerful fire,
well satisfied with themselves and w^th all the world,

150

THE SQUIRREL.

Picn'o was requested to produce liis ]ratliev-l,(inn(]
volume and to read wliat information it contain('(l Odn-
cerning tlie .squirrels of America. This request ^vas
readily complied with ; and wliile Gaultier threw nidiv
pine logs on tlie fire, the young naturalist searched out
the proper place in his l)ook.

" 'J'here are," he began, " not less than twenty dilirivut
species of true squirrels in North America. If witli
these we include the ' ground ' and the ' tivini;- ' stiuii ivl>
this numlier will be considerably increased. The
largest, and perhaps the most relished kind, is the 'cat-
squirrel.' This, as no doubt you are aware, is the lie>t
for the pot of all the tribe, and it consequently fetches
several times the price of the common gray s({uiiTel.

"The gray scjuirrel, however, is the best kimwii
representative of the family, as there is scarcely a
]iatch of woodland throughout the country in which it
may not be found. Yet, in some localities whore this
variety was plentiful some years ago, another kiinl,
the 'black squirrel,' is nov/ found instead. It is
asserted that the latter drives off the former, as is
stated to be the case with rabbits and hares, and tlie
Norway rat and the old brown rat. The 'fox-.^iuinil'
and the ' cat ' have often l)een confomided with oacli
other, whereas they arc quite distinct. The 'fox' is
larger than the ' cat,' anel is also more active, racing to
the top of a tall tree with extraordinary swiftness,
The latter, on the contrar}', exhibits an unusual slow-
ness and caution in its movements among the branches,

'^UAi

JH:

SfS U

«r-.i

m1 fon-
•st ^vas
\v imivc
lied out

litlt'ivnt
It' Nvith
|uinvl>,

he ' ciit-

frtcllCS
ilTL'l.

kiKiwn

irct'ly II

vliicli it

eve til is

r kiiiil,

It is

V, as is

ami tilt'

,i[uirv(.!r

itli each

fox' is

acin.u" t'J
wiftness. ;

al sluw-
.raiiclies,

FLYING SQUIRRELS.

P.t:.'f IS/.

V r\

! ^1

Jiii'l rare
however,
trunk to
take to
irround, h
wliieli it (
uf a tVesli
" TJio c(
to aiiotlie
Auduljoii,
extended
of country
ininiutions
llesh is ve
eatiiii;- wIk
"At ont
miijieroiis
"t" tlireepe
tion. Jn
of.fS,000 8
destroyed
tiiousand.

" Perliap<
<ii'e tlie ily
oxteiidinrr
«ucli a man
are thus enj
•^lirection fr
a lower one

nil-: sQUinnKL.

!C1

and mrely nsccnds fx tree to any giv.at hciu'lit. It i,<,
liowcver, sulHcieiitly agile to slip round a ))ian('li or
trunk to avoid tlie liunter's aim. It does not usually
take to the first tree at hand if discovered on the
ground, but makes for the tree containing its hole, into
wluL'li it disappears, leaving its pursuer to go in search
uf a fresh victim.

" Tlie common gray squirrel migrates from one district
U^ another in extraordinary numbers, 'crossing,' says
Audubon, 'large rivers by swinuning with their tails
extended on the water, and traversing inniieiise tracts
of country where food is most abundant. During these
initiations they are destroyed in vast numbers. Their
tlt'sli is very white and delicate, and afibrds excellent
eating when the animal is young.'

"At one time during the last century they were so
numerous in a section of New England that a premium
of tlu'cepence per head was ottered for their destruc-
tion. In one year this bounty reached the large sum
of £8,000 sterling, which shows the number of squirrels
destroyed to have amounted to six hundred and forty
thousand.

" Perhaps the most interesting species of the ^cmridcc
are the Hying squirrels, so called from a capacity of
extending the skin between the fore and hind legs in
such a manner as to act as a sort of parachute. They
tive thus enabled to float, or rather to sail, in a diagonal
direction from the top of one tree to the branches of
a lower one, often at a considerable distance. Usu Uy

■;, I

162

THE sQurnnEL.

I :■

this species is gregarious, coiiH)anies of ten or twelve
living togetlier.

" Tlie tniveller Cate.s1)y, speaking ot* tlieiii, Scays:
' When first I saw tlieni, I took theui for dead lr;iw.s
blown one way hy the wind, but was not long >u
deceived when I perceived many of tlieui to follow one
another in one direction. They will ily fouisn^'i'
yards, from one tree to another. They cannot riM' in
their llight, nor keep in a liorizontal line, but dcMviid
gradually ; so that i'l proportion to the distance the
tree they intend to Ily to is from them, so mueli the
higher they mount on the tree they intend to Ily fimii,
that they may reach some i)art of the tree, e\eii tlit.'
lowest part, rather than fall to the ground, wliieli
exposes them to peril ; but having once recovere(l the
tiunk of a tree, no animal seems nimble enough to
take them. Their food is that of other s(|uii'i'i'l.s—
namely, nuts, acorns, pine seeds, pishimon berries, etc'

" A kindred variety exists in the Rocky ]\Ionntaiiis,
which makes very bold flights down the forest-coveivd
slopes, sailing above the summits of the intevveniiiL;'
trees until it arrives at the tree which it has propo.sed
to itself as its destination.

" In some sections of America, squirrels, as well as
other predatory animals and birds, are a perfect pest
from their extraordinary numbers. M. Kevoil, in his
work on 'Shooting and Fishing in North America,'
says : ' Sport is so abundant that the sportsman mure
frequently linds \\U aunnunition run short than any

hiik oJ
passage
to beli(
spoitin;
SlieHbn
inhabits
Tavern
of wild
har\(,',st
niaraudi
subject
Two Jeat
and cacl
who for
ortlers.
v.'cre the
game wa;

J»

Bl
Pi

.wclv

,'U

says :

IcilVL'S
IJIIL,' SO
()\V 01 11'

urscoi'c
rise ill

ilc>CflHl

lice tlio
neli til*'
ly t'l'iiiii,
VL'n till.'
I, wliieli
ei'L'«l the

jll'^'ll to

m'L'ls—

lios, etc'
)nntains,

L'oVClvd

rvenin-'
)VOposcd

well as
fret pest
il, in liis
Auiei'iea'
luin ine)ve
tliaii any

THE SQUinilEL. ir.3

laek of game. As an example of this, 1 will (luote a
passage from a newspaper wliieh 1 have every reason
t(» believe to be (juite authentic. It is an acccjimt of a
sporting expedition which took place in the county of
Slieilbrd (Canada), near a village called Frost. Tlie
iiilial)itants of this place assembled at the Golden I^^agle
Tavern to consult how best to destroy the vast mnnber
of wild creatures which threatened destruction to the
harvest of the vicinity ; and it \va8 resolved ^hat the
marauding birds and quadrupeds should be made the
subject of a kind of massacre of St. Bartholomew.
Two leaders were appointed to organize the slaughter,
aiul each of tliesc selected seventy-live companions,
who for an entire week went shooting under their
orders. ]\[essieurs Asa B. Foster and Augustus AVood
were the leaders; and on the 19th of April 185G the
game was counted, and the following was the tale : —

Foster's jiarty. AN'ootl's juvrty.

Foxes 50 50

Si)arrowhawks 50 L'o

Crows m 100

Woodpeckers 120 420

Polecats L'70 120

Black and gray squirrels (JGO 073

Kedaiid strijiod squirrels -Il,(i20 33,150

Weasels 80 20

Jays 2,570 1,800

Owls 100 140

Blackbirds 3 2

Pigeons — 1

40,243 30,501

30,501

Grand total 82,804 head.

I '

154

77//; sni://!/!/:f..

"From iliis Uihlr an i<li'a iiiny Ih' foniH(l t»r ih
icliitive iiiiiMl»L'r oi' Lhc (liU'crciiL kinds of ,s([iiiri'cls im n

lioiio

" In Europe tlie coiinnon squirrel {Schtras I'Jn rojin //>)
is suflieiently altundant in many distriets. This L;raet'-
f'ul littler animal measures about eiifhteen inclics in
len;j;th, inchKlin^' the tail, which prohaldy avcran'cs
between six and seven inches. The head is capacious,
broad above, but at tlie sides, as well as on top, it is
somewhat flattened. The eyes are proiuinent, aic of a
dark colour, and are expressive of alertness aiid in
telli<^ence. Standing M-ell up from the head anj tli.
ears, which are furnished at the tip with loii^- line
hairs. Generally the fur is of a rich brown-red line:
this merij'es into a whitish tint beneath the throat ami

)lour of tlic f\

chest. In the winter, howev(

undergoes a change, becoming lighter, assuming a

grayish colour.

"The female generally produces four or live young
at a birth.

"Ordinarily the food of the squirrel consists of
various edible seeds, nuts, and berries, to bo found
among the woods wdiich they frequent; but they liavu
been known sometimes to eat birds. In appearance,
the squirrel might be selectc^I as the emblem of industry,
so alert are his movements, and so keen and intolligiiit
is the expression of his features. His little Ijody is
extremely vigorous, and his limbs are elegantly shaped,
while his tail, which ho jantily holds aloft above his

liaclc,
adds c
"Ih
their I
some J
Iianiicl
inc'ily
husyja
" It 1
• •artli, c
alleged
leaves f
lives lii.^
I 'ranch
ingenioi^
in the \\]
which i>
I'ouf, wh
ture.

interlace
;iiid elovfi
I hey
ing iiilh
trees.

"Dnru
of hazel -
tree. Th
"pon the
The voicd

TllK SQVlUliKr..

ir)r>

rounij,'
Ists of

foUllil

have
tivance,
llustry,

till (.'cut

Dody i^
hvc lii^

liac'k, is l)('aiitii"ully iVtitlicrcil witli Ioiil;' l»usliy liuirs, jiiul
adds cunsideni1»ly to tlic Ix'juity of Ids jipiK'ai'uiK'o.

"He lives auiojin" tlie birds, which sluuv witli liim
tljeir K'afy home ; aiidldgli upon the j^naided lu-aneh of
some aged oak lie may he oltserved seated upon his
liaiiiiclies, his plunnd tail shading' his back, lioIdinLf the
mealy acorn or the rough-lnisked beech mast to his
busy jaws with his fore paws.

"It is stated that the s<|iiirrel rarely descends to the
earth, even to quench his thirst; which it is further
idle^ed that he allays by drinking the dew oil' the
leaves and branches. DurinL!" the severest winters he
lives his usual active existence, leaping- from brancli to
hranch in search of seeds or nuts. His nest is an
ingenious piece of architecture. It is always dry, even
ill the wettest weather ; and to effect this, the opening,
which is placed at the top, is capped by a con<'-shaped
roof, which elfectually excludes the rain from the aper-
ture. This nest is usually composed of small twigs
interlaced with moss, the whole being very compact
and cleverly put together.

" They also live in holes wdiich age and the corrod-
ing inlliienccs of the weather may have worn in
trees.

"During summer the sfpiirrel hoards up quantities
of luizel-nuts, etc., in the hollows or crannies of his
tree. This granary ho visits in the winter, and draws
upon the stores which his forethought has provided.
riie voice of the squirrel is .shrill and inharmonious,

156

A WORD OF PRAISE.

if ■ . ■

rill" h

and lie often utters a kind of 2frumblinr>- noise throurr])
his closed teeth.

" The hardest and smoothest-barked tree offers no
impediment to the ascent of the squirrel, ^vhicll Hies up
the trunk almost as fast as the eye can follow. At tlie
approach of winter the squirrel sheds his sunnuer co;it.
and the new hair is of a deeper colour than that wliicli
has been got rid of. Taking them altogether, tliere aie
few animals which make a more interesting group than
the squirrels. They are associated in our minds with
the picturesque scenery of our woods, to which thiy
add interest and life ; and few among us but can recall
many a Avoodland ramble, enjoyed perhaps when we
were young and when life was still a golden dream uf
the future, Mdien our attention had been arrested by the
active movements of the agile litde beast as it gleaned
its harvest of seeds and nuts, or watched us slyly fioiu
behind the shelter of the branches as wo paused beneath
its tree."

Here Pierre stopped to recover his breath.

" I guess," said Jake, " this coon never thought ^so
much cud be said about sich a little crittur as a sipiirl,
But the longer one lives the more one larns."

" Really, Pierre," said Gaultier, " your natural history
is invaluable. How dull we should be without it ! I
can't imagine, now, how we got on so long without
some such aid to pass the time at our camps. But you
have not yet told us anything of the porcupines, nor ot
tl.ie beavers, both of which we met to-day."

A WAliJr INVITATION.

157

" 1 liavc a few notes here," replied Pierre, " on both ;
and if you are not tired I will read them for you."

" Fire away — with all my heart," cried Gaultier ; " I'm
not tired — are you, Jake ? "

"No, nor cud a be," replied the old hunter; "I've
follcrcd the game these fifty year, an' ain't tired o'
the bisness yet, so 'tain't likely I'd be tired o' hearin'
about it so soon."

" Very Avell,'* said Pierre. " I will go on, then, with
my notes."

These, however, we shall reserve for the next chajiter.

CHAPTER XI.

THE rOKfUl'INE — ITS METHOD OF SELF-DEFENCE — DESTRUiTIVE TO TIlEls -
.take's opinion of rORCUl'INE — the TLTFT-TAIL— I'IEUHE's AcrolNT (Pi-
THE HEAVEU— HEUNe'S ACCOUNT— JAKE's I'ET liEAVEK AND WHAT IT Dili
— THE OLD IIUNTEU'S ADVENTURE— NAIUIOW ESCAPE FROM DEATH.

" We will take the porcupines iir.st," resumed Pierre, ";is
they occur next in my manuscript, although propeily
they hold an inferior place to the beavers. Both tlicy
and the beavers, indeed, belong to the same order as the
squirrels, being all classed among the Rodentia."

" What d'ye call 'em ? " asked Jake. " I hev been,
man an' boy, fifty year carryin' a riHe, an' niver heerd
tell o' them critters till now. They must be scarce, 1
reckon, or this child 'ud a run agin some o' them in
his time."

Pierre laughed outright. "' That is merely a Latin
word, Jake," he explained, " to designate a class or
order of animals which gnaw their food. You Avill
perceive that the teeth of the squirrel, for instance,
are singularly well formed for the purpose of guinv-
ing ; so are those of the beavers, and also of the
others."

"Wal, go ahead, young fellur," said the trapper;

" T s'l
fliild
'Tl
(k^finei
natura
pan op]
them i
scmble
Uritisli
" TIh
terestii]
porcupi
ciipine;
and th(
innnedii
to the s
tail bel
pine is
muzzle,
tent pr(
length a
the Can
•'stance t
animal
i^'i'om the
" Fron
floes not
^nd claw
to the ly

THE PORCUPINi:.

150

L'ce, 1
11 ill

.atiii
iss or
Avill
taiice,
i-naw-
)f the

ipper ;

"T s'poae it's all riglit wliat you're sayiu', though this
cliild can't figure it out nohow."

•' Tlie porcupines, then," continued Pierre, "are a \vell-
(lofined family, and are designated Ifysfricldw by the
naturalists. They are distinguished by a singular
panoply of bristles with which nature has furnished
them in lieu of other defensive weapons. These re-
semble the spines of the ordinary hedgehog of the
lU'itisli Islands.

"There are several different varieties of this in-
teresting group ; — such as the African porcupine ; the
porcupine proper {IIijHtvix cristatus), or the crested por-
cupine; the tuft-tailed porcupine (Atherurafasciculata);
and the Canada porcupine, with which we are more
immediately concerned. The latter, however, belongs
to the sub-family of the Urdhisuninw, while the tuft-
tail belongs to the Atherurhuu. The Canada porcu-
pine is characterized by a flattish skull, a short, close
muzzle, a tail of but moderate length, and to some ex-
tent prehensile, and wdth spines of about the same
length as the hair. This is the only species inhabiting
the Canadian provinces, and it is from this circum-
stance that it has derived its name. It is a sluggish
animal ; but as it derives its sustenance principally
from the bark of trees, it climbs with great facility.

"From its slowness, as well as from the fact that it
does not defend itself, like other animals, with its teeth
and claws, one would suppose it must fall an easy pre}''
to the lynx and other predatory beasts ; but this is not

V ■

1 ■

•I- I'

160

THE PORCUPINE.

the case. The eminent naturalist Audubon relates tlint
he found a lynx in a dying condition in the woods, its
lips and mouth being Ulled with the spines which hail
detached themselves from the porcupine in the encoun-
ter, and which had gradually worked their way (lo(']i
into its assailant's flesh.

" Even the ' painter ' has been found in similar plight
after a fight with this apparently insignificant creature.
The quills have but a slight hold on the skin ; and it
is possible that, independently of the efiect of the en-
counter, the porcupine is gifted with the faculty of
detaching them when they have slightly punctured
lis assailant.

" These minute spears produce an inflamed wound ;
and being barbed, they continue to penetrate deeper
and deeper into the flesh ; which operation is facilitatod
by the movements of whatever animal has been un-
lucky enough to receive them.

" The porcupine is very destructive to trees, frequently
killing all the trees in a grove, by eating ofl" the Imik
all round the stem. An individual has been known to
remain on one tree for many days, until he had almost
completely denuded it of its bark. When the hunter,
therefore, passes by one of these animals seated aloft
amid the branches, he may leave it unmolested, with
the certainty of subsequently finding it still engaged
with the same tree.

" The porcupine sometimes gives vent to a peculiar
cry, somewhat resembling that of a young child. In

distric
biu'rov
old tn
the nn
])earan(
spines
the sqi
purpose
efroctiv(
•Some oi
with t]i(
" TJie
found in
of Euro]
many pa
and roui
of this a;
two dif}
what m;
is shorte
armour o
four to tc
onamel.

" Wlier
annaturo,
Lhe tonior
hovered a\
as lonq- as

urni

THE roncupTNE.

ir.i

districts where tlie soil is loose and friable, it forms
burrows for itself, generally among the roots of some
old tree. In these the young are produced, of whicli
tlie number varies from two to four. In general ap-
pearance the porcupine is a liver-brown, the prickles or
spines being inclined to white. The quills are used by
the squaws as a means of ornamentation ; for which
purpose they arc dyed of glaring colours, and make an
effective embroidery for leofo-inofs or huntinnf - shirts.
Some of their birch-bark utensils are also embellished
with them.

"The crested porcupine {Ilystrlx cvistatux) is not
found in America, being a native of the southern parts
of Europe and of Africa. It has also been observed in
many parts of Asia — notably in India, Persia, Nepaul,
and round the shores of the Caspian Sea. The spines
of this animal are very sharp and strong, and consist of
two difFcrcnt kinds. One is long and thin, and forms
what may be called the outer layer. The other kind
is shorter and stronger, and forms the true defensive
armour of the creature. In length these measure from
four to ten inches, and are coated with a fine and hard
enamel.

" When irritated the porcupine erects his bristly
armature, and then — woe betide any animal which has
ilic temerity to attack him ! The tail of this species is
covered with hollow quills, wdiich make a rattling noise
as long as the animal is in motion.

" During the day the porcupine remains in it. bur-

1(52

TIFE PORCUPINE.

row. But when tlie shades of evening are Lcfhiniii"-
to fall, it emerges from its retreat, and goes in scare] i
of its food, which consists principally of fruits, roots,
or other vegetable matter. During wiuter, if tlic
weather be severe, it retires to its den, where it remains
until the genial warmth of the sun again attracts it fortli.

" Some persons have spoken favourably of the flesli
of the porcupine as an article of food; but possilily
their opinion may have been influenced by previous
starvation."

Here Jake interrui)ted Pierre with the remark,—

"Wal, I hev often closed my teeth on wuss cliawin's
than porkipines, an' I warn't starved neither. Id as
lief cat it any day as boss meat, an' I've hcern toll tliat
the French eat a sight o' that."

" There is no accounting for taste," said Pierrv? ; " I
must confess that I do not relish porcupine mucli myself,
althouofh I have often eaten it when I had nothinu' else."'

" I incline to Jake's opinion," said Gaultier. " I think
a stew of the ' fretful ' is by no means bad eating, espe-
cially if a few pork bones have been thrown in to
heio-hten the flavour."

" I am glad you like it, cousin," answered Pierre, " m^
you have now an opportunitj^ of indulging your taste
The one you shot seems very fat and heavy."

"Jake and I will lighten him at breakfast, never
fear," laughed Gaultier; "but pray go on with your
account of the animals."

Pierre therefore continued : — " As in the case of our

o\\-n pc
woll-fla
fravfllo:
quills a
pect to
apt to ]
poiietrat
to quit t
skin. ^J
rnnnino-
make agr
• The t
ly liavin
which on
luino'led ^
i^'i-il furni
scales in t
Hatiish bi
of expand
"Little
A specinK
■rented to
"i^'^ny yoai
111 the nei
ii'Sed as an

'• T will
I liave ma
•"^0 inimedi;
^^'i'l patien

THE BEAVEJl.

163

own porcnpiiie, tlio llcsh of tliis species is stated to bo
well-ilavoiircd, and to resemble veal or pork. The
traveller Williamson says of the power of projectinL;- its
quills attributed to the crested porcupine : ' With re-
pect to shooting the quills, it is fabulous. Dogs are
apt to run upon them ; and the quills being sharp,
penetrate so deeply and hold so fast as to occasion them
to quit their matrices, or insertions in the porcupine's
skin. Many horses will not approach porcupines when
running, by reason of the peculiar rattling their (juills
make against each other.'

■ The tuft-tailed porcupine is generally characterized
l^y having its body covered with depressed spines,
which on the hind part of tlie back are long, and
mingled with the ordinary quills ; and by having the
lail furnished with spines at its base, covered \vith
scales in the middle, and terminated by a Ininch of long,
tiatiish bristles, which the animal possesses the facult}'
of expanding or contracting at pleasure.

" Little is known of the natural history of this species.
A specimen was brought from Fernando Po and pre-
f^ented to the Zoological Society by a Lieutenant Vidal
many years since. They are said to bo very abundant
in the neighbourhood of that place, and to be largely
used as an article of diet by the inhabitants.

" T will now read for you," said Pierre, " the few notes
1 have made on the beaver ; and as these animals are
so immediately interesting to us, I have no doubt you
will patiently hear me to the end.

(."m;)

164

THE BE A VEli.

" In looking- at the beaver, two things attract tin-
attention — the broad flat tail, and the webbed hind feet.
The former is more than half the length of the body,
and o'^ated -ith scales, which are mixed with sliort
hairs. Tu thn water this animal swims witli tlie
greatesi, IWiiity; in fact it is, if anything, ratlirr more
at h<jme m ih 'ater than npon land. The teeth of
this animal are well formed for the purposes for wliicli
they arc intended. There arc twelve molar teotli, of
which the grinding' surfaces arc flattened ; the inside
rim or edge of the upper row being marked by diic
enamelled fold, and the outside edge by three foLl-^.
In the lower row this arrangement is reversed.

" The incisor teeth arc extraordinarily strong, ami
are shaped like chisels. With these they are enaljled to
cut down trees of considerable size, of which they con-
struct dams across streams, with the view of furiuiiiy
lakes, where the depth of the water would otlK'iwise
be insufTicient to afford securitv to the animals in their
huts. I cannot do better than cpiote from that ex-
cellent and observant traveller Heme a description of
the mode of building practised by the beaver: —

"'The situation chosen is various where the hcavcis
are numerous. They tenant lakes, rivers, ami ciceks,
especially the two latter for the sake of the current, of
which they avail themselves for the transportation of
materials. They also choose such parts as have a depth
of water beyond the freezing power to congeal at tlic
bottom. In small rivers or creeks from which the

water
are dr
make i
tance 1
deep h(
ill si lap
straigld
vexity
wood, g
got, and
withont
with a 1
.strcngtli
"'Old
hank, cal
ice; an(
'ind sho(
hodgerov
materia
pi'oporti(
■'^nts, wh
t'ighfc yoH

" < r

Tlie
the only
perhaps

" ' AVhc
they are
even nior
liuinicatic

THE BE A VEIL

1(55

watei" is liable to be diained off when the back supplies
are dried up by the frost, they are led by instinct to
make a dam quite across the rivTr at a convenient dis-
tance from their houses, thus artificially procuring- a
(lcci> hndy of water in which to build. The dam varies
ill shape. Where the current is gentle, it is cari'ied out
.strai^'ht ; but where rapid, it is bowed, presenting a con-
vexity to the current. The materials used are .u:-
wood, green willows, birch, and poplar, if they i n \
got, and also mud and stones. These are int ^li "od
without order, the only aim being to carry out the ^ ork
Avith a regular sweep and to make the whole " ( ^ual
strength.

" ' Old dams by frequent repairing become a solid
bank, capable of resisting a great force of water and
ice ; and as the willows, poplai\s, and birches take root
and shoot up, they form by degrees a sort of thick
licflsfcrow. often of considerable height. Of the same
materials the houses themselves are built, and in sizes
proportioned to the number of their respective inhabit-
ants, which number seldom exceeds four old and six or
eight young ones.

"'The houses arc ruder in construction than the dam,
tlie only aim being to have a dry place to lie upon, and
perhaps to feed in.

'"When the houses are large, it often happens that
tliey are divided by partitions into i w o, or three, or
even more apartments, which in general have no com-
niunication with each other except by water ; such may

:i \

I \

i(;(5

TlfK nKAVEIl

be called double or treble houses rather than houses
divided. Each couipartnient is inhabited by its (iwii
possessors, who know their own door, and have hd (.tin r
connection with their nei_ufhl)Ours than a friendly intii'-
coursc, or nuitual assistance in the necessary laliDnr (,f
buildini^.

" ' So far are the beavers from driving stakes, as srnne
have said, into the i^round when buildini;', that tlifv lav
most of the wood crosswise and nearly hcjrizontal, w itli-
out any order except that of leaving a cavity in ilie
mid<lle; and when any unnecessary branch.es project,
they cut them off with their chisel-like teeth and tluow
them in among the rest to prevent the mud from fall-
iiig in. With this are mixed mud and stones, and the
whole is then compacted together. The bank atlbrds
them the mud, or the bottom of the creek ; and tin y
carry it, as well as the stones, under their throats la-
the aid of their fore ^^aws. They drag along the wooil
with their teeth. They always work during the ni^'lit,
and have been known to have accumulated during' ;i
single night as much mud as would amouiit i.o some
thousands of their little handfuls.

" ' Every fall they cover the outside of their houses with
fresh mud, and as late in the autumn as possible, even
when the frost sets in, as by this means it soon becomes
frozen as hard as a stone, and prevents their most for-
midable enemy, the wolverine or glutton, from distuvb-
ing them during the winter. In laying on this cofit of
mud, they do not make use of their broad tiat tails, as

lias hec
giving
side of
as well
'• ' Til
with w,
.six feet
angle " 1
and (^n
winter s
tree.^, or
stack up
stones, ai
materials
'"Besi
shut up
idso a mi
as places
houses, ai
" ' The
^\■at('r, \\
file hunt(
the aniuu
entrances
along the
dicatino
liole in th
summer t
at tliis se,

THK /if: A VHli.

IC.T

lioiiscs

s own

) otlitr

inter-

Ktur (if

IS SOI no
icy lay
1, willi-
iii ill!'
project,
1 throw
Dm fall-
and tlie
all'ords
id tlu'y
oats ly
lO ^voo4
i> ni.u'lit,
\iring' a
io sol no

ISL'SWitll

le, even
bocoiucs
nost fov-

listiivlt-
s coat of

tails, a^

liiis bt'cn assertcMl : a niistako that lias arisen from their
yivinGf a Hap witli tlie tail wlieii pliingin;^ from thu out-
side of tlio lioii.se into the water when they are startled,
as well as at other times.

" ' The houses when complete have a dome-like figure,
with walls several feet thick, and rising from live to
six feet above the wat(!r ; a projection calleil "the
aiii;lc" by the hunters, and beyond the reach of frost;
and on this, and also under M'ater, is laid up their
winter store, a mass of brandies of willows and other
trees, oil tlie bark of which they feed. These they
stack up, sinking each layer by means of mud and
stones, and often accumulating more tlian a cartload oi"
materials.

'"Besides these winter liou.ses, in wliich they arc
slnit up during the severity of the season, they have
also a number of holes in the bank, which .servo them
as places of retreat when any injury is ofiercd to their
houses, and in the.se they arc generally taken.

'"The entrance to these holes is deep below the
Mator, which tills a great part of the vault itself. When
tlic hunter forces the houses of tlie beaver in winter,
the animals swim beneath the ice to these retreats, the
entrances to which are discovered bv striking the ice
along the banks with an iron ice-chisel, the sound in-
dicating to practised ears the exact spot. They cut a
hole in the house and surprise their booty. During the
.Slimmer the beavers roam about at pleasure ; and it is
at this season that they fell the wood necessary for rc-

, 1

1 !

i I

'i \

,1 'I

168

77//' nh'A VEIi.

pairing their Louses and da .iS, or for l>uildinLj otlicis,
eonnnencing tlie latter about the end of Auj^nist. Such
are the strength and sharpness of their teetli tlmt tiny
will lop oil' a branch as thick as a walking-stick uL ji
single effort, and as cleanly as if cut with a pruuiiiL,'-
knife. Large stems they gnaw all round, taking cart'
that their fall shall be towards or into the watci'.
They rapidly fell a tree the shaft of which is as thick
as a man's thigh, or thicker, or from six to ten inches
in diameter; and spaces of more than three acres in
front of a river have been covered with the tiiuliei
felled by these animals, though many of the trees were
as thick as a man's body.

" ' The beaver does not attain its full growth befijiv
three years; but it breeds before that time, it pro-
duces from four to six young at a birth. The flesh of
this animal is esteemed by the Canadian hunters ami
by the natives as a great delicacy, and its fur is very
valuable in commerce. It is from certain glau<lular
tubes that the substance called " castoreum," used in
medicine, is obtained, and which (procured from the
European variety) was well known to the ancients.

" ' In captivity the beaver soon becomes familiar and
sociable, and, if permitted, will even in a room exercise
itself in attempts to build, using brushes, baskets, boots,
sticks, or, in fact, anything it can get hold of for the
purpose.' "

" I guess that's so," remarked Jake ; " an' I'll jest reel
ye off a sarcumstancc that happened up to this coon.

I IS a

year uri
Willaiir
crick h(
wurn't
location
with th
in that
I'liiuipcd
niedadc
and in t
trout coi
young b(
'twur ri<i
yer, 'itho
one end
chain roi
cudn't loi
"Boye
on that t
I've finis
^vi' nic, {
where til
cat off c
pieces.
><norted aa
t'lr wur s
trig-ger-gi
handle, ft

A M/scim:v()Us pet.

IC!)

Tis a Iohl;' time ai;'o now, tliotij^li. I n-ckoii twur tlio
year artcr I'd clurrod out </ tlic tinibur Inisim-ss on tlie
WillaiiR'tte. IM mud a sort o' shanty I'ur niysolt' in a
crick liottoni wliur tliur wnv a sioht o' bcavur, an' I
Miirn't long in makin' a purty fair i)ilc o' pelts. The
location wliur I'd put uj) n»y slianty wur a'niost level
with the crick. 1 never thort o' thur l>ein' sich floods
in that leetle crick as keni shortly alter; an' so 1 Jest
pi limped it down beside the water at a i)lacu whur it
iiiedadeep })Oo]. I used to hev lines into this at ni^dit,
and ill the niornin' I found my breakfast o' raal line
trout cotched ready for haulin' out. Wal, I'd got a
young beaver, an' thort I'd make a pet o' tlio critter, as
'twur rii-ht down lonesome in them dir^pjin's, I can tell
yer, ithout a mortal to open one's meat-trap to from
one end o' tlie month to the other. I slipped a trap-
chain round the critter's neck, and tied him up so as he
cudii't leave the hut.

" Boyecs, 'twur a bad day for this coon that lie set eyes
on that thur beaver. I rcckin ye'll think so too when
I've finished. I had a fust-rate axe helved wi' hickory
wi' mo, an' I jest used to leave it lyin' around any-
where till I ' anted it. One mornin' I found the handle
cat off close op agin the head, an' cut up into small
pieces. But th; t wa'n't nil. Great Columbus ! howl
snorted when I looked over to whur that all-fired crit-
tiu- wur s{[uattod, to see my rifle cut In two behind the,
trigger-guard, an' packed up wi' my pistols, the axe-
liandle, four beaver-traps, an' an auger I'd brought wi'

170

A TKltniBLE HUniT.

iiie all [lie M'ay from Porfcland, all iik-iI into a loil^c
which thu variiiiut had been ''uildiii' ! I w ur y<\_ WXwx
over, you bet; an" I wuu a-i^-\vine to fetch thai skunk
out o' his boots, M'hcu I hecrd a ruuipus outsit Ic tli;i'

tak

it out o' the d(

Jehosliatiji

Hied uio taive a s([uiut our o tiie clooi'. .Jeliosiia)ili;ii .
that wur a sight met my old peepers then ! Tlmr wiir
a tide a-eomiii' down the l)ottom, roariu' like all crc'i-
tiou, the i'l'ont wave o' it ten foot high, au' stuck o\( i
wi' chips, sticks, bushes, an' logs, as thick as ipiilk in a
porkevpine. I hed jest one chance. The shanty win
upon legs; that is, I hed stuck up four posts tu uiak^
the tour corners, an' hed tree-nailed the planks •igin'
'em at a height o' live or six feet above the ground.
T. hed did this jest to hev my old carkidge out o' (he
damp; a!i' also, in case o' lloodin', to keep mysell' an' my
possibles dry, as the sile Avas softish jest aboni iliur. I
wur therefore a reg'lar 'Jake in the box,' as niv slianiv
iked in all round, top an' bottom. Ik'

»!'

cr •

then that any Hood 'ud pass underneath, an' not sw
the hull consarn along wi" it.

" Wal, I seed at a glimp that 1 never would liov time
to reach the high ground afore the Hood 'ud overtake
me. I hed only jest time to see what wur a-cunin,
when the hull thing swep' past, round, over, 'A\\ uiukr
me ! I reckin I never felt, heerd, saw, or smelt a n izo
like that! 'Twur like all the fourths of July as iver
kem, put in a box an' busted up together. But tlic
shanty stood it all elegant. The fust rush wur the
wust, an' arter that the flood settled down a I'it;

.'hop''

ov thiu'

•oi'takc

C'jiiiiu',

i' iukI'-T

t a n'izo

as cVL'V

But tlu'

viiv tlie

1 a hit;

tlioii£;'li

(lay it 1

water ^

that. ;

like to

dry win

'• I hi

thovt o

1 riibbe

seed !

an' he'd

" Hyi

be in'sel

flood, nil

ugly to

nrterwai

.say that

I stretcl

fast asle(

" I dor

-1 \\'0kG '

^^■et, an'
soak in'.
^vay the
■'^ide to s
Id get a
•"^i'ie; an'
a' most a
"Thi.r

AA' UGL Y CONDITION.

171

)

tliouc;"!!, an' ruimin" at that like a iiiill-racc. That hull
(lay it raiiieil bull-dogs, an' I thort torst ovenin' tho-t the
AvattT wur risin' so high that I'd hev to remove out o'
that. Still, as the shanty had stood so well, I didn't
like to leave it, specially as all my possibles an" ])lun-
drr wur lying around.

'•I hed .so nmch to do an' to think of tliat I never
tliort o' the beaver t'orawdiile; an' when I did, you bet
1 rubbed my eyes ! The critter w^urn't nowdiere to be
seed ! I gue.ss I soon med out that he'd eat hi.sself free
an' he'd med tracks into the water.

"Hyur I w^ir, then, 'ithout a sarviceable ritle, alone
be ni'self fifty mile from anywhur, anchored out in a
flood, an' darkness fast comin' on. 'Twur right down
ugly to took at, but 'twurn't nothin' at all to what kern
arterwards. You'll hardly bleevc me, boyees, when T
.sav that arter takin' a look at how the water wur risin',
I stretched m'self on my b'ar.skins, an' afore long fell
fa.^t asleep !

" I don't know how^ long I wur asleep ; but I do know
1 woke wi' a screech that skeered ni'self ! I wur all
^^•t't, an' I soon med out that the hull shanty wur
soakin'. But "twa'n't that puzzled this coon ; twur the
way the thing wur a-pitchin' an' tossin' an' roUin' from
>ide to side. Jest as I'd steady m'self agin the wall,
1 d get a wdiammel as'd send me kerslap agin the other
>^i<ie; an' then .souse I'd go under water, which wur
a'inost a j'ard deep over the floor.

"Thur wa'n't a doubt about it: the shanty wur

172

ALMOST DROWNED.

:l>

atloat, ail' wur tearin' down the crick to the Dead Hoss
Falls, about a couple o' miles below ! That wur tlio
sitooation this coon wur hitched to !

" I knew, o' coorse, that ef I got pitched down the
falls, the shanty'd be smashed to niggles; an' T guess
thur wouldn't be much o' me left arter shootin' down
the rocks fur two hunderd feet.

" Thur wa'nt a spark o' light in the sky, an' o' coorse
/'d nothin' as'd light any more'n a grampus.

" VVal, you'll say, why didn't I make fur tlie dour,
an' get straddled on top o' the shanty ? That wur llnj
very thing 1 wished to do, but I cudn't make out tlie
door nohow. The hull box wur pitchin' an thunipiii'
along, hittin' agin stumps an' rocks in sich a way tliat
I no sooner got on my scrapers than it'd wheel over,
an' bang I'd go clur agin the other side ! I didn't kiidw.
o' coorse, which side wur up an' which side wur dowu
all this time ; but arter a spell o' crackin' around in tliis
way, in a suddint thump I got a whanuud, an' wur
throwed, lucky enuff, slap through the dooi\ which wur
now on the under side, like a trap-door in tin- floor.

" Wal, I thort 'twur all over wi' me. I wur a-goin
down an' down, till I wur a'most stifled. But fc lin' 1
wur free o' the shanty, I struck out an' kem to tbo sur-
face in time to save m'self from bustin'.

" 'Twur as dark as the inside o' a buffler ; but I cud
jest get a glimp o' the shanty wheelin' arouml in ;ui
eddy. I Tiled torst it, an' soon got straddled on to)). I
knew by this time that I must be clost to the falls, an

sure e

over tl

"In

<i cat i

All at

ture do'

utlier.

over th

'■in' cud]

my clav

clur o' t

"lo,

an' be C
^ich a:i i
yards o"
that stu
bank,
a'most
luands a
"I h
tbur war
'ong stoi
tlie rioo,
the ^ban
'yin' abo
" A\ iiei
J^'S's o' til
an . boyo(
em had

HTCrll AND DRY.

173

[ IToss
ir the

\Y\ the

o'UCSS

' down

' cuoi'sc

c dour,
,viiv thtj
out the
lumpin
-ay th.at
;el over,
't know,
n- down
1 in tliis
an' ^vul■
ich wui

GOV.

a-gohi'
tV'.lm' I
th > sur-

\\\i I cud
id in :iH

li lo]». t
falls an"

sure ennft' I sliortly heerd the roar o' tlic water teariii'
over them.

" I now thort 1 moiit as well liev been drowndcd like
a cat in a bag, inside the shanty, as go down the falls.
All at wonst the stream quickened, an' then raced an'
ture down the valley whur the blufis closed up agin each
uther. I thort I noticed a tree now an' aijin leanin' out
over the water from the rocks, which wur perpendic'lar,
an' cudn't be climbed nohow. But I knew ef I hitched
my claws to a limb, I'd be able to haul myself up an' git
clur o' the bisness somehow.

" I guess, boyces, that Providence meant me to live
an' be Christianized, an' not to go under while I wur
^ich a:i all-fired pagan. The shanty wur 'ithin twenty
\ards o" the brink u' the fall, when it hit aq-in a rock'
that stuck up over water, an' \\lieeled round torst the
bank, sweepin' me under the branches o' a tree, an'
a'niost tearin' me from my hold. You Tx't, I laid my
hands about me, an' wur soon hifjh an' -irr enutf.

"I hed to stay thur till mornin', though, set as
tluu- warn"t light to climb the bluffs. Wal, to inaive a
lon;^^ story short, I got out o' the fix at last; ai/ arter
the Hood wur gone, I went to the spot whur "'I built
tlie shanty, hopin' I mout find a lectle o' my plunder
lyin' about.

"When I got thur, you bet, I stared ! Thur wur the
legs o' the old shanty standin' four feet out o' ground ;
an', boyees, what mazed this coon most of all, r -^eh o'
em had been cut across, jest as neat as ef 'twur done

•

i:i

174

J A K E ■ .S' com 'L US I ON.

by machinery! I guess I knc.v the sign o' boavii'-
teeth, an' you may stake higli I warn't ^vl•on^ in
thinkhi' "twur my pet as hed did it. Ye-es, l.-oyues!
T calc'late this coon knows somethin' about beavers—

he does ! "

Here ended Jake's strange narrative.

'in: TWTN- I
lUCl'KRM
IV THE
MISU)VI
.IVKi; V,
.\M> .lAI

Eai;lv

twilight :

Iiiinters i

As beg

necessary

early, in <

i'ore tlie s

their noc<

The pa

ing tlieiii>

Uj-ion a " 1

^\'-'itor an<

was seciu

''ank, or t

witli a pi

t'aeli trap

to iii(hea<

CIIAPTETJ Xn.

Tlir TWIN- LAKKS — SKTITNO nKWrU-TIlArs — TlfK WnI,VEl;iXK — Til K IIITNTKUS

iii;ti:kmini: TO THAI' Tin; woi.vKiiiNK— an AMiir.^ii i\ a i'Ink Titi:i: nihiit

IS THE lUKICST— ItKAVICl'.-TllAlM'lNO — STnU<itiLi:S OK A BKAVER — OI,I> .IAKR's
MISADVKNTirHK — HIS STORV OK HIS FIRST BUKKAI.O — TIIK "tHIIITF.sT I'LACK"
,(AKi; WAS KVER IN— CIIASKl) BY INDIANS— A KKARKll, LKM'— KAia.K .TACIC
AM) JAKE MARK THEIR LSCAI'E.

Eai'J.v on the ensuincr morniiiGf, while %(■'' the cfrny
twilight Imlf liid and Imlf revealed the forest paths, the
Ininters arrived at the scene of their lahonrs.

As beavers always work during the night, it was
nocessary to begin the work of laying <lown the traps
early, in order that this task might bu cc '.''pleted be-
i'ore the shades of evening lured forth the animals to
tlicii" nocturnal labours.

The party made a oautioiis circuit of the lake, show-
inc;' themselves as little as possible; and as they came
upon a " run," deposited their traps in it l)eneath the
\\'<iter and close to the bank. The chain of each traj)
was secured either to a stout stake driven into the
I'fink, or to a convenient tree-root. A buckskin thong,
with a piece of light wood attached,, was secured to
■ aeh trap and formed a float, the object of which was
to indicate tlie position of the beave)", should the

17(5

A WOLVERINE.

f: 1

latt(!r, as not unfrcquciitly happens, dmL]^ awav tlio
trap.

By noon the luinters liad more than half finished
their task, and accordingly they retired a little heiu-ath
the forest to rest and refresh themselves -witli tlicir
mid-day meal. From the position they occupied tlay
could connnand a view of the lake, and while discussin^'
the probable inniiber of beavers they expected to take
the next morning, their attention was suddenly anvstcil
by a long, low, and brownish animal, apparently track-
ing their footsteps by the margin of the water.

" Look yander, boyoes," exclaimed Jake ; "jest squint
at that varmint. I guess he thinks we've been settiii
marten traps,"

" A wolverine ! " cried Pierre, picking up his rifle.

"Ay," said Jake; "I guess the skunk '11 be welconit'
to all he'll pick up arter ns this mornin'."

They continued to observe the movements of tlie
strange animal, which faithfully followed the route
taken by the party in their circuit of the lakes. At
each "run" where they had halted to lay down a trap,
it stopped for a short time and seemed to soarcli tlic
spot carefully, even looking for some moments into tlio
water. The hunters could see that the stakes to wliicli
the vaiious chains were attaclied did not escape liis
observation. Several of these he caught between liis
teeth and shook, as if with the intention of tearing'
them up. They withstood his efforts, however, and
finding this he continued his search.

" He'l

claimed
But ,'
advance
tiii'nod ;i
frees.

" I rcc

soiaeliow
wiiss hot
beast in
'leavers, j
liell spile
"We 1
\vorrfc do
ill meat."
"Tlun-'i
I'L'plied J<'
hyur, I gi
o' tliese V
mint is oi
fill' ti'appc
•^liek. 8e
Meditaf
truder on
"loal and
til*-' I'emaii
eai-ly in tl

'UT^'i' lak(
the umbra

mi: 1)1 TA TiNd I 'ENiiEA mm.

177

"He'll conic within shot in another minute," ex-
claimed Gaultier ; " let us be ready for him."

But as if aware of tlic danger to whicli a furtlicr
a<lvanee would expose him, the wary beast sucklenly
tmiuMl aside from the lake, and disappeared among the
frees.

"I rcckin now," said Jake, " that Ihe varmint snilled
soiiiehow that we wur hyur. But this coon smells a
wiiss bother than tliat, ef we don't throw that all -fired
beast in his tracks. I'll bet high he'll wateh the
Ilea vers, an' make raggles o' all we'll take; an' o' coorse
hell spile the pelts. That's what he's a-gwine ter do."

" We must catch him somehow," said Pierre ; " it
won't do to throw away all our labour just to keep him
ill meat."

"Thur's only one way to sarcumvent the skunk,"
replied Jake. " The hook-an'-line dodge won't answer
hyur, I guess. This coon '11 jest make a cache in one
o' these thick pines, an' watch all night. Ef the var-
mint is on the prowd at daybreak a-hookin' out any o'
tlie trapped beavers, you bet I'll walk into him purty
slick. See ef I don't. "

Moditatinof venii'eance against this unwelcome in-
truilor on their preserves, the hunters finished their
meal and betook themselves to the lower lake to lay
the remainder of their traps. Tliis they accomplished
early in the afternoon, and they then returned to the
upper lake and helped Jake to make his ambush amid
the umbrageous foliage of a laige pine which stood a

178

77/ a; I'Ixe tiu:k AMjics/r.

littk' in {Klvaiicc of its rdlows, and in a convt iiiriit
position For their purpose.

Al)ont liall'-way up tlu* tree a number of luimcli, -i
radiated from tlio trunk, forniinp; Jt»i-^ts on wliicli lu
lay a lloorinii; of smaller houghs, Ui^m these weiu
thrown th(3 soft elastic trinnnini^'s of the hranches jlh y
liad cut at the hack and sides. The thick hushy hjHiV^v
was bent down, so as to enclose tlu^ plntfnnn, anl
effectually to screen orfrnin and wind.

When iinished, the nest presented a most comfortahle
appearance; and (iaultier threw himself in an attitiulc
of indolent ease upon the fragrant carpet of ^[initL'
branchlets, declaring his intention to share with Jako
the pleasure of lying ensconced there during {]u' iiiulit.
Pierre also signified his desire to remain, rather tli;m
return alone to the solitary camp by the Athabasca.

Jake demurred to having so many together, fearing
that " the rotted varmint 'ud smell 'em out;" hiu he
offered no strenuous opposition, and it was therefero
decided they should all remain.

Their supper was an unusually light one, consistiivi
only of the remnants of their dinner. To this incon-
venience they submitted, rather than return to tluir
camp by the river for supplies. Gaultier was much
tantalized by observing several fine geese and ducks
descend upon the lake, and, unconscious of danger, sAvini
fearlessly within thirty yards of the tree where tlie
party lay concealed. But Jake insisted on their beiii!:?
unmolested, lest the report of the rifle should put thr

wnvy A
I he IK

(■( ))\'gO

was til
chewiii!
he iiiadi
it into 1

he'll sni

Kvem'

gloom,
of the sK
•shadows
hrmters i
they cam
\voro inv
the aetiv
''.V the dc

Present!
zenith f:
hehind t
with her
alono- the

''lo Iteavei
—some ci
hnvards t
^voo(Is, pi
Jt was ;
^^^^^\ set 11

NiaUT IX TUK FiHtEST.

170

I'llirllt

icli to

' Wl'l'c

•s tluy
t'oliiv^'o
111, aii'l

t'oi'taMe
:Utitu.lo

th Jakt"
if \\vM-

wx lllMU

nsca.
tVavin,4

liUl lit'
hci'efi ivo

wavy wolverine upon liis gnard, in case lie skulked in
I he noi,i;hl)onr1ioo(l, Pierre was even compelled to
forego the solaet' of liis frac^Tant brier-root; and tliis
was tlic more vexations as old Jake, who preferred
chewing the Nicotian weed to smoking it, chuckled as
lie made up a plug* of " raal James river" and inserted
it into his capacious month, remarking —

" r guess that pizenous critter 11 hust his nose afore
he'll snitl'this nigger's pipe !"

Evening deepened into twilight, and twilight into
gloom. The centre of the lake reflected the diamonds
of the sky, while its borders were black with the heavy
shadows of tlie forest. From the darkness below, the
hunters could hear the swift footsteps of animals as
tlioy came to the water, while the creatures themselves
were invisible. Frequent splashes in the lake tohl of
the activity of the beavers ; but these also were hidden
l»y the dense shadows.

Presently a pale light streamed liigh towards the
xenith from beyond the eastern trees ; and soon from
hfliiiid the forest rose chc full-faced moon, touching
witli her silver gleam the ripples on the lake, glistening
along the western shore, and revealing the gambols of
tlie Itcavers, ^yhich could now l)e seen in great nvnnbers,
—some circling round their lodges, others proceeding
t"Mavds the shore, while some hop})ed towards the
woods, presumably to cut down timber.

It was a lovely, peaceful sc^ne, that quiet, gleaming
lake, set in a circle of dense shadows, hedged in by the

ITS(i)

IMAGE EVALUATION
TEST TARGET (MT-3)

^'^4'?

%. ^ '^

1.0

I.I

V^ 12.8

•^ !■ I||||2.2

2.5

2.0

1.8

1.25 "1

— Ill

U 111.6
= ll==

.4 6"

►

Photographic

Sciences

Corporation

23 WEST MAIN STREET

WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580

(716) 872-4503

(/a

180

AX INTEJtESTING SIGHT.

virgin woods. Here and there a hoary tree caniijlit tlio
moonlight on its gray outstretched arms and moss-clad
trunk, stand infj forth like a sentinel, relieved a"aiiist
the sombre background.

The western shore of the lake M^as visible to tin.'
hunters for almost its whole length, fringed by a
pebbly beach. Upon this, and at a considerable dis-
tance, some large animals were grouped together near
the edge of the forest. Jake was the first to draw tiie
attention of his companions to them with the exclama-
tion, —

" Gollies ! look yonder, fellurs ! Thur's a gang o'
moose — five o' them at that. Ef they'd only kini this-
a-way, I guess I'd let that carcajou slide an' go fur one
o' them. Jest to think o' bein' done out o' steak an"
moufHe by that rotted critter. This child aint a-ciwiin'
to stand by an' see it done. No, he ain't."

The moose, however, did not seem to have any iininc-
diate intention of leaving their position, and the hnnters
continued to reijard them with undiminished intin-ost.
Gaultier proposed that they should descend, and, avail-
ing themselves of the cover afforded by the woods, f;vi
within shot of the noble game. They were just about
to discuss this project when their attention was diveitcl
to another channel by a sudden conniiotion which arose
by the verge of the lake just in front of their ambush.
The widenins: circles in the water indicated the exact
spot ; and looking closely they soon observed a dark
object making frantic but vain efforts to leave the lake

and c
what

:ir

STRUGGLES OF A nEAVEIi.

181

and climb np the bank, which at this place was some-
what abrupt.

" A beaver '. " exclaimed Pierre ; " he's caught in a
trap.

Gaiiltier was just about to swing himself down from
his perch in order to secure this their first trophy from
the lake, when old Jake seized him by the arm and
hissed in his ear, —

" What in thunder makes yer want to show yer ugly
l)ictur down thur ? Stay hyur, can't yer ? an' not start
the hull lot o' beaver back to thur lodges."

Somewhat crestfallen at this rebuke, the young
hunter again seated himself, and with his companions
watched the struggles of the trapped animal. Now
and then, at intervals, along the margin of the lake
indications were not wanting of the success which
attended their first night's trapping.

"That coon's about played out," said Jake, pointing
ti)wards the beaver which had iirst attracted their
attontion ; " I guess he'll go under arter anotlier snort
or two. Wagh ! he's a'most choked. Did yer hear
tliat ar gulp? I reckin he never was afraid o' water
hofore he ran amn this child."

Presently the efforts of the drowning beast became
fainter and fainter, and soon ceased altogether. The
water resumed its wonted calm, and nothing remained
to indicate that a struggle for existence had taken place
ill the tranquil and treacherous element.

This scene was being enacted at many portions of

!'.I:

•

»B

ll,

||Sttiii|hy^i,

182

SUFFICIENTLY LUDICROUS.

the lake. The traps had been judiciously laid, and tlio
number of beavers which fell victims during the nii^^lit
was very considerable.

Meanwhile the moose had disappeared from 11 k^
beach, which stretched away in misty indistinctness \)\
the verge of the forest, presenting no object along its
expanse to arrest the attention. The night wore
gradually away, and sleep overpowered the liuntLis.
Their heads nodded on their bosoms, and one by oiif
they yielded to the drowsy influence.

From this comfortable repose, however, they \\\i(^
rather rudely disturbed by an accident, which mvj\\\.
have proved fatal, but which was nevertheless sntH-
ciently ludicrous. A rifle-shot rang out on the still
midnight air, and the bough upon which old Jake
principally rested, shattered by the bullet, yielded to
the weight of the somnolent old hunter, who disappeared
from between his companions and fell crashing through
the branches.

Fortunately a snag caught the skirt of his buckskin
hunting-shirt. Much amazed at his predicament, the
veteran hung suspended in mid air, wildly kicking his
legs in space, and clutching at whatever seemed t<»
promise a support.

"Git yer shootin'-sticks ! " yelled the old fellow:
'■ 'twur Injuns, I tell yer. Keep yer eyes skinned, an
make a siev^e o' whatever ye kin see. I'm swinnuin
down hyur, an' kin find bottom nohow. Great Chris-
topher Columbus ! to think o' this old coon goin' under

LIfilir ON THE sun J EOT.

183

tliis-a-way. Kim down liyur, one o' ycr, an' help nie
out o' tliis. I'm iluniflunnnoxed wi' swin^nn' arouml."

Much astonished at the sudden conniiotion, tlie
iiwakcned youths descended to the old hunter's assist-
.iiico, and after some difficulty contrived to extricate
liiiii from his uncomfortable predicament. This was at
lenj,4h satisfactorily accomplished ; and on regainiuLj^
their position the orij^nn of the mishap became evident,
(laulticr's rifle was invisible where he had left it; 1>ut
(til searching beneath the tree it was discovered, having
evidently been recently discharged.

The incautiou.s youth had dropped it in his slei'p,
with the result we have already descril)ed. Wc will
dr;iw a veil over the scenes which ensued. Old Jake
was " over the traces," and many were the hard things
said of "tender feet," "greenhorns," and "goneys." In
truth, the old hunter was conscious of the ridiculous
figure which he had presented, and he felt that his
dignity as a veteran mountain-man had sull'ered some
abatement by the incident.

The uproar wdiich attended this adventure having
disturbed the neighbourhood, the party decided that to
loiiiain longer in their place of concealment would be
profitless. They therefore descended, and by the aid
of the moon they shortly gatliered a mighty pile of
withered brushwood, which wdien lighted threw its
ruddy glare far over the waters of the lake, and glow'ed
M'armly on the gray and brown tree trunks which stood
thickly around.

.184

ENCOUNTER WITH A BUFFALO.

jli

I-

Jcake ai)proached the water and peered keenly into
its crystal depths in search of the beaver whose dyiii^
stru<^gles they had witnessed from the tree.

"Git me a long saplin', one o' ycr," he presently said.
" I've spotted the varmint, an' I guess a slice o' his tail
will do this coon no harm."

Gaultier ran to do the old hunter's biddinn', and
between them they soon brought the drowned animal
to land, the trap still fast on one of its hind legs.

"Fustrate dog!" said Jake; "pelt's in party I'air
order, considering the time o' year. Wough 1 w(jni;li I
my beauty," he continued, " I'm a-gwine to go fur yer
tail, / am;" and having separated that member, \\v
procc»-aed, much to his own satisfaction, t(; Itruil it over
the coals.

The odour, which to the old hunter's nostrils was
appetizing, soon restored his good humour ; and nndir
the benign influence of fat tail he seemed to forget the
recent unpleasant episode. Pierre and Gaultier both
joined the veteran in his repast, and the rich mess
speedily disappeared before their forest appetites.

" Boyees," said Jake, " did I ever tell yer o' my fust
tussle wi' a buffler ? "

The youths replied in the negative.

" Wal^ 'twur more'n forty yeern agonc, an' this coun
wuni't o' much account then wi' a ritle, I reckin, scein'
as I wur so young. 'Twur the fust time I'd ever sot
eyes on a bufHer, an' so yer may guess I wur ,i;Tcon
enough fur a jackass to graze on. I think I rec'lccts

A TASTE OF LEAD.

185

a-tolHn' ycr about the journey my old man, the old
mother, an' all on us med acrost the plains to Oregon.
Twur that very time the thing happened that I'm
ji-gwiiic to tell ycr. I war on the look-out every day
for huffier sign o' some sort ; an' so, I guess, wur we all,
as meat grew scarce in tlic camp. We'd had an Injun
light— the one in which I wur left 'ithout eyther father
or mother, as I bleeve I told yer.

" Wal, the next mornin', arter buryin' the dead car-
le id^es o' them as had «^one under, a bio- drove o' butller
kcm tcarin' torst us from the south'ard. Thur Avur a
swell in the peraira that-a-way that kep' us from seein'
the critturs until they wur 'ithin a hundred yards o'
the camp.

" Wal, we grabbed our shootin'-sticks purty slick,
you bet, an' let the varmints in the front o' the drove
liev a taste o' our lead. But 'twur o' no use a-tryin' to
turn the critturs. 0' coorse, yer knows that a gang o'
buttiers goes straigiit ahead, 'ithout carin' whur they're
runnin', when they've got stampeded in airnest. Thur
M'urnt tim(»- to wink when the hull lot wur amono- the
waggons.

" I had got on top o' one o' these, thinkin' 'twur the
safest place about ; but afore I wur rightly settled the
thing wur heeled over an' capsized into the middle o'
tlieni. I rec'lects that as plain as if 'twur only yester-
day it happened. I felt Idamed queery, I kin tell yer,
when I wur whammelled over an' fell kerslap into an
ocean o' horns an' Hamin' eyes an' steamin' noses.

18G

A aTItANtlE POSITION.

" l']f any one lied Ijeen around an' lied seed if, o'
coorse he'd a tliort 'twur all over with this cliild.
When I keni down, "twur atop o' a butfler's hack I t\ll :
but I reck in I didn't stay thur long. I wur tossed out
o' that in the tlappin' o' a beaver's tail ; an' lucky 'twiir
fur nie, I reckin, that when I slipped otl' I kem down
standin'.

" 1 tuck an idee at wonst, an' jest laid hold o' a
bufHer's tail by the root, an' clung on as ef I wur glued
to it. The butliers round on eyther side, I guess, tuck
nic fur a 'painter' or a b'ar, or some sich varmint , tur
they sheered off, an' by-'n-by I wur a-streakin' it aciuftt
the peraira a'most alone wi' my own bull. The ciittur
ho'ln't seed me yet. He wur too frightened to wait to
what wur a-clawin' at his tail, an' so he held un.
tearin' artcr the rest o' the herd, which had wlieckd
ort' to one side. I wur safe from bein' ti'aiupi'd to
death by the herd, an' I now thort twur time to say
good-bye to my compani(m.

" I guess I wudn't 'a taken it onkind o' him ef licM a
let me slip oft' 'ithout takin' any notice o' me. Jjut thai
wurn't what he wur a-gwine to do. I wur jest thinkin"
o' this, when on a sudden he put down his nose an' gev
a hoist to his hind-quarters that lifted me oti' my logs
afore I cud cry Snakes ! The tail slipped from my
fingers, an' down 1 kem on the peraira.

" The bull stopped a'most at oncest, looked ruuiul,
put down his head, shet his eyes, an' kem at im-. T
hed only jest time to jump on one side when he passed

TUE VICTollY.

1 87

iiir witli a wliiz. He wliooleil at once>t ; mh' now,
liuyecs, 1 gov myself up, fur I soe<l at that minute
iuiotlior bufHer cavortin' tor.st me, \vi' hi.s tail screwed
up tui' liis liorns on full cock.

" I wur atweeii them, an' both on em cum a-tliun(]crin'
down at me 'itliin ten yards. J cudn't stir no more'ii
ef \\\ froze to the ground. 'Twur jest like that all-lired
feel kiuis over one asleep when a waggon-load o' black
cats is drawn up on the bed, an' somethin' awful busts
out ()' a cloud an' sets a feUur a-hollerin' till he wakes
liisself wi' the fright o' it.

"I wur jest in that way, but at the last lialf-shake T
uumI a mighty jump aside, an', boyees, ye'll never bleeve
it, them two bufHers met face to face wi' a crack like
an airthquake. Ye shud 'a seen 'em, the way they wur
throwed. Both on 'em starj^j^ered back an' fell, sittin'
on thur liams like dogs ; but I guess they didn't stay
thur long. They riz at oncest, an' med at each otlier
like game-cocks, snortin' an' plungin' an' pushin' like
all creation.

" I wur ck'an mazed, an' stud a-Iookin' on till I tuck
a notion that I'd better make tracks fur camp while
they'd forgot me. I put out, you bet, like a (juarter-
hoss, an' never stopped till I got up to the waggons.
Hyur I found some o' the mountain-men ; an' I cudnt
get 'em to swaller my story nohow till I led 'em Ijack
to wliur I'd left the two bulls tightin'. Sure enulT they
wur still at it, an' I crep up wi' one o' the fellurs, an'
We each o' us throwed his bull. I wur well out o' the

188

EAliL Y liKCOLLKCTloys.

tliini:^, boyecs. I guess I chawed tliat tlmr l«ulllrr's
l)Uinp that night wi' a hearty appetite. I did so."

Here the old hunter relapsed into silence, occasionally
chuckling over the recollection of his early exploits
Pierre and Gaultier confessed that they had invur
before heard of a hunter being saved from one bulllilo
by the unintentional intervention of another.

" Ye hain't lived as long in the perairies an' in tlic
woods as this old nigger," replied Jake ; " but it seems
somehow as if the old days wur better than tlic new.
I hain't," he continued, " had sich close shaves nor been
in sich tight places as I used to be, these years an'
years. Things are settlin' down and gettiu' tamer
every day, 1 think."

" I fancy," said Pierre, " that the game has not uow-
a-days the boldness it had forty years ago. Tliore licas
been too much .shootino; ; and no doubt the diHtTciit
animals have learned that discretion is the better part
of valour."

" That's so, you bet," replied Jake. " I cud tell y( r
some queerities that I've come acrost in my time \<\
most sort o' critters ; but most on 'em happened } ear>
agone, an' that jest squares in wi' what yer says."

" What was the tightest place you Avere ever in.
Jake ? " asked Gaultier.

" Wal, young fellur," replied the trapper, " 1 liain'l
edzactly figured that out. I've often said to inesell
that I've had so many near things happened to me
that I never cud settle which were the tightest on 'cm

a nun

ie.\

more ,

1 leaver

Tlie
.supply
I'eaver,
on thei
nnnina
t\vist-t(
which j
•silence :

.m f

AX (HJ> C< KM II ADH.

181)

Jill. I ivckin, thuugli, until 1 think o' a bottor'n, tliat
11 nnnpiis I lied \\\ tlic ConiancliLS in tlie Pan Handle
o' Texas will sarve }'er turn."

" Wait a hit, Jake," said Pierre ; " I'll just throw some
more loijs on the lire, and we'll have a fresh chaw of
heaver while you are telliny your story."

Tlie two youni'- men accordin^dv collected a irood
supply of fuel, and having- put down another hroil of
heaver, they took their place, turninijf expectant faces
on their veteran companion. The latter seemed lost in
nunination while vacantly fundjling with a pluLf of
twist-tohacco, from which ho slowly severed a " hite,"
which lie placed in his cheek. At length he broke
silence : —

" I guess I hain't never met wi' sich mortal savages
as them Comanches ; and I've heern Eagle Jack say
that ho has font a'most all the tribes in the States, an'
gives in that the Comanches beat 'em all fur cruelty.
I feels lonesome when 1 thinks o' poor Jack. He wur
an out an' out good fellur, an' many a day he an' this
coon spent in company. Ye see we wur reg'lar chums ;
iit-'yther o' us ever kep' a good thing to hisself, but
fillers went shares wi' his commerade. We trapped an'
hunted, eat and starved together, an' wur a sight fonder
o' each other than many brothers. Wal, one day (we
wur at Fort Belknap at the time) Jack wur told by a
friend that wur dyin' in the fort (hevin' got a ball in
Ms gizzard in a rumpus wi' some o' the boyees) that he
knew o' a silver mine in the mountains near the Salado.

100

IWFFALOES AHAIN.

"He j,'ev the account o' tlie place so plain tliat .l.uk
wwv v'v^hi down sure o' lintlin' it 'itliout any tioulilc
()' coorse h(^ tellM nie about it at oncest, and so wt jot
coneludetl to slope airly the next nl(J^nin^^ ut'ore any m
the hoyees 'ud be about an' askin us awkard (|uestiuii\
We kep' the bank o' the Jira/os fur days an' days till
wo kcni to the Saline, whieh we skirted, an' held on \>\
the Tosohuanuevo, as them U|L,dy Greazers calls it.

" NVal, at the head-waters o' this we wur in a raiiu'<'
o' the (luadaloupe mountains; an' a line location I
reckin that wur fur Ljame. One day we kein (»m ;i
nice valley wi' hij^h yrass a'most over the hull o' it.
an' a few clumps o' bushes an' trees scattered alKHit
every which way through it. In the middle u' this
valley we noticed a iiani"- o' bultler, an' o' coorst- we
pulled Up an' agreed to run 'cm.

"The wind wur right enufi', an' so, takin' krar to he
out o' sirdit o' the critturs, we dodged t(jrst 'iiii, an'
arter a while, wi' the lielp o' the timber, we got 'itliin n
kupple o' hunder yards o' the drove.

" At a word we clapped in our spurs, an' med at 'ciii
as liard as we cud tear. The beasts didn't smell what
wur up till we got 'ithin fifty yards ; an' then tliev
wheeled round an' put out in airnest. We laid in our
quirts an' spurs, an' you had better blecve lliat tlio
way we got over the ground wur a caution. While
splittin' along this-a-way, o' coorse we never kep' eye
on anything 'eept the bufllers. I reckin 'twud a boeii
better fur us ef we had taken a squint around us iiow

(11 ASK It jty iMt/Ays.

\u\

nil' iv/\n : Imt tlu'ii yer sees we iiuvcr tliort o' tliur Itoiii'
anvtliin:; about crptin tlie vanuint we wnr aitcr.

"Now an' n</\]\ I kinder tliort T lieenl a ni/e o' some
sort beliint us; but 'twur some time afore I tuck a
gli.sk arouml to see wliat it wur. .Jeliosjjaiilial ! I Tccls
(HiL'crv even now wlien I tliinks o' that minute ! Arter
us, an' as liartl as tliur ponies cud «;o, kem a band o'
Injuns. I rjev the wink to Jack, an' he looked hack,
an' you het what he .seed didn't ])loa.se liim any more
than it did mo.

"Thur wur nothin' to be did 'ceptin to keep on, an'
\\v i,'(!V whip an' spur to our hos.scs. Jiut 1 guess the
critturs wur l)lown already wi' thur quick burst arter
the l)ulller, an' so we both felt our beasts wur Ljivin'
out fast. The Injun.s, wlien they saw we .spotted 'em,
raised all creation wi' thur yells; an' Jack, who inider-
.stood a Icetle o' thur gibberi.sh, med out tliat they wur
tollin' u.s we mout as well stop, as .anyhow the}' meant
to hov us and make griskins o' our gizzards.

" By this time we'd left the valley wliur we'd fust
seed the buffler, and wur a-strcakin' it over a pcraira
that stretched torst another ranrje o' hills seven or ei^dit
miles ofi'. We wur well out on tliis peraira, and wur
hnpin' wo mout yet reach the other side an' dodge tlie
varmints among the cha])peral we cud see growing on
the hills, or mehbe hide in a cave, wlien all at once,
ithout any warnin', we found our lio.sses stopped .short
as of the critturs wur .shot.

"At our feet wur one o' them all-lii-ed gulches (bar-

(

i'liiir;':

;;!!'■ .,

192

A FEARFUL LEAP.

rancas tlie Greazers calls em), fifty foot (loop, an'
stretcliin' right an' left as far as we cud see. At tlie
bottom wiir a river, an' we knew from the quiet look
o' the water 'twin* deep. I guess the Injuns know all
about how we wur fixed, fur they yelled an' .screeclKMl
vruss than ever, an' kem on like wolves arter a wounded
deer.

" ' I guess, old coon,' says Eagle Jack to me, ' I ain't
a-goin' to let meself be tuck by them rotted skunks.
I'm a-goin' to drown, ef I must go under.' Willi that
he riz his rifle an' let drive at the fust up o' the Injuns;
and at the crack, you bet that niggur left his saddle
purty speedy. Wal, I fetched another; an' slinoin' our
rifles we jined our hands in front o' our heads, an'
streaked it off the bluff into the water. 'Twur a
fearful kap, I kin tell yer ; but thur wur no choice.
Ef we'd gev in, 'twur as likely as not the Injuns 'ud a
roasted us alive, as they hed did to some settlors a
short time afore on the Brazos. Arter whizzin' tlirouoli
the air, hittin' the crater at the rate o' a rifle liall, an"
makin' a dive o' twenty or thirty foot do(>p, 'tain r
likely as eyther o' us felt very clur in the brains.
This old coon wur a'most mazed, an' instead o' makin
fur the other side, T guess I didn't know wluir I wur
a-gwine to, fur I shortly med out I wur a-tryin' to
climb back the very bluft'I hed jumped from !

" Eagle Jack got out o' the ^vater and shook hisself
like one o' them Newfoundland dogs, an' secmod no
wuss for his tumble. We squatted clost under the

THK ESCAPK.

103

cliti', liitlilon by a slielf tliat cropped Ait jest over our
heads, an' waited. The Injuns o' coorse arruv on the
edge of the barranca tlio minute arter we chuTed olF it;
an' we cud hear the varmints talkin' quite plain, an"
wonderin' what'n thunder hed become o' us.

"You may stake high we kep close an' didn't tell
'em ; an' arter a leetle while, as they cudn't see a sign
o' us, they toted thurselves right away, an' we seed
'em no more, I reckin thev thort we wur killed or
drownded with the leap, an' concluded that 'twurn't
worth their while to ride round twenty mile, as they'd
hev to did, to git down to see what had become o' us."

" What about the silver mine, Jake ? " asked Pierre.
"Did you find it?"

" I guess," replied Jake, " that wur the wust o' the
Iiull business. We cudn't make head or tail o' the
country whur we concluded it to be ; an' arter all our
trouble an' danirer, we jest had to take the bacdv track
south, wi' our tails between our legs, as I may say, an'
liovin' lost our bosses an' everything we hed, 'cept what
we stood up in. 'Twur a nasty job altogether, an' this
coon don't overly like to think more about it."

Pierre and Gaultior thanked the old hunter for his
exciting narrative ; and as it was now very late, they
disposed of themselves for the niglit as comfortably as
their circumstances would permit.

CHAPTER XIII.

I>\\V\ — JAKE A:«D the ("AHCAJOU— successful TRAPPINO — TWILICIIT IV Till:
FOREST— A " painter"— BLACK FOXES — A WOODLAND CLAliK— XOCTir. VAI.
SOUNDS— THE "painter" AND THE HAKE— DEATH OF THE COI'(. All— II.KAS-
URES OF A hunter's LIFE — THE LUMBER TRADE— JAKE's OPINION OF IT-
OENUINE PHILOSOPHY.

The gray light of morning was contending with tlio
[)ale moonbeams which still silvered with slantiiii^- nays
the veri^e of the forest on the eastern banks of tlic lake,
when old Jake raised his lanky form from the lair in
which he had spent the night, and looked around. (>ii
the opposite or western shoi'e the prosaic light of day
already rendered objects sufficiently distinct to indicate
their nature to an observer.

The old trapper had no sooner cast his keen eyes in
this direction than he quietly took his rifle, and, ^vitll
every demonstration of caution, left his still sloepino'
comrades, and crept stealthily to the cover of the woo(l><
Once within their friendly shelter, he glided noiselessly
and swiftly in the direction we have indicated; and
having at length reached a spot within ritle-sliot of
whatever had aroused his attention, he approached the
edge of the woods, and looked eagerly along the sliniv
of the lake.

JAKE AND THE CARCAJOU.

19")

At the distance of some sixty yards, a dark -brown
.iniinal was busily engaged in dragging from the water
the body of another animal, not much inferior to liimself
ill size. It was the wolverine, busied in his customary
practice of counter-working the trapper's ingenuity.

Old Jake slowly brought Plumcentre to his shoulder,
and at the crack the nefarious beast sprang from the
o;round and turned over dead. The report of the riiij
awoke both Pierre and Gaultier ; and seeing their
veteran companion standing on the beach, they soon
rejoined him, and congratulated him on his morning's
work. After stripping the wolverine of his shaggy
liide, the party returned to the camp, and prepared
breakfast, during which old Jake recounted the details of
his approach upon the carcajou in his own peculiar style.

This was a busy day with the trappers. A visit to
their traps entailed the circuit of both lakes, which
occupied them until mid-day, by which time they had
secured a large number of beavers ; and the skinning of
these gave them ample occupation until evening.

After setting their traps afresh, they set out on their
return to their camp by the Athabasca, intending to
revisit the lakes on the followino- T.iornino-. It was
late when they left the silvan lake and plunged among
the forest shades on their way to the Athabasca.

The prolonged twilight of these northern regions
rendered objects sufficiently visible, even at some dis-
tance, in the open glades ; but within the woods the

heavy shadows of the spruces eclipsed whatever re-
(Tso) 13

196

A ''PAINTER" DIsaoVERKD.

maineJ of day, and in the murky light the eye failed
to distinguish anytlnng with accuracy. Tlio dark
columns of the trees stretched away into vagueness,
while here and there the white trunks of tlie silver
birches seemed to start like ghosts out of the gloom,
their shining arms stretched athwart the sable fulia'^e
of the firs, and the intricate tracery of their braiicliLs
outlined against the star-gemmed sky.

From afar down the woods came a sudden cry — a
cry so wild and demon-like that the hunters iuuneili-
ately stopped to listen. Again came the hideous ^vail,
resounding sharply through the silent forest.

" A painter ! " exclaimed Jake. " I guess the var-
mint is gettin' peckish, an' he's takin' a poke round fur
grub. The very leaves shiver at the skunk's sqwawks,
an' nary a beast or bird but does the same when ho
sings out that a-way."

The animal as yet seemed at a considerable distance,
and the party continued their walk, occasionally stop-
ping to listen as the wail of the cougar was borne to
their ears. Sometimes the snapping of a twig or the
rustling of the branches arrested their attention ; and
on listening carefully, the nibbling of the Canada porcu-
pine could be heard as he plied his mischievous trade
of stripping the bark from the trees.

Frequently small animals skurried past ; and on one
occasion, apparently on their trail, came the lynx : hut
although the trappers stepped aside behind the shelter
of the nearest tree-trunks, the wary beast seemed to

BLACK FOXES.

197

detect the danger, and slunk quietly from the neigh-
bourhood. Hares are numerous in these forests, and
furnish the lynx and tlie foxes with their food. The
•sliarp bark of the latter M'as heard on every side as
tliey chased the hares through the woods.

On arriving at a small glade, old Jake proposed that
the party should halt for a short time, as he believed,
from some indications he had noticed durinjTf the dav,
that this neighbourhood was frequented by black foxes,
lie hoped, when the moon rose, to lure one or two of
tliese very valuable animals within shot.

The open space at the verge of which the trappers
stationed themselves measured several hundred yards
in length by about eighty yards in breadth. It was
covered with greensward, and dotted over M'ith clumps
of bushes and some young and luxuriant pines. No
resort could be more likely for such small quadrupeds
as form the prey of the black fox ; and doubtless it was
tiierefore that the old ti^apper hoped to secure one of
tliose rare and highly-prized animals, whose skins sell
for their weight in fjold.

Some long grass beneath the spreading branches of a
large spruce afforded a convenient shelter. Throwing
themselves upon the ground, the party awaited the
rising of the moon with as much patience as they could
command. The maniac scream of the great horned owl,
the yell of the lucifee {loup-cevviev), and the occasional
ghoulish wail of the cougar, accentuated the weird
solenuiity of the gloomy forest.

198

NOCTURNAL SOUNDS.

Occasionally a deep sighing sound filled the air — the
rush of the breeze through the tree-tops, which scarcelv
swayed to its passing influence. From the glade couM
be heard at intervals a shrill squeak, which soon caui^jlit
Gaul tier's attention.

" What is it makes that noise, Jake ?" he inquircfl as
the sound again reached their ears — this time scciniii^-
to come from several directions at once.

"I reckin it's mice," replied the trapper; "an 'twin
them same leetle critters that med me wait hyur a hit.
The black fox chaws up them varmints, an' I kiiulcr
think we'll see some o' them beauti(!S ef the luuou 'ud
only show out."

Slowly the time passed to the expectant hunters,
until the sjradual brisfhtenincf of the eastern heavens
announced the wished-for moonrise. Slowly the pale
light stole upward along the sky, and soon the Mel-
come luminary rose from beyond the woods, thruwin;'
showers of light upon the sleeping trees, and darting
silver spears into their gloomy recesses.

" Now, young fellurs," said Jake, " it's time to skin
yer eyes. Jest squint out tliur over the grass, an'
mebbe ye '11 spot a fox on the lope arter them mice."

The 3'oung men accordingly cast searching glances
down the glade ; but in the distance objects were so
confused and indistinct that several times mistakes
were made, which at lenq-th aroused the ire of old Jake.

" Wagh !" he exclaimed, " yer can't see ekal to an owl
in d lytime. T guess my old peepers kin tell the clil-

;r, ■'■>

THE ''PAINTER" AND THE HARE.

199

forcnce atween ca stump an' a fox yit. ]jut," ho sud-
denly cried, "wliat'n thunder's that lopin' varniiut
couiin' round the brush yonder ?"

The young trappers looked eagerly in tlic direction
indicated, and soon observed a large animal stealing
forward cautiously from the shelter of some low bush(,'s,
and apparently bent on approaching their place of con-
cealment. As far as they could judge in the deceptive
light, the new-comer was a long an<I apparently some-
what clumsily-shaped animal ; and from its stealthy,
cat-like mode of progression — now creeping rapidly
forward, again squatting Hat on the ground behind
some slight obstruction — it did not require Jake's
whispered exclamation, "A painter!" to convince them
of its identity.

With breathless interest they watched the motions
of the fierce and wary creature. As yet it was evi-
dently unconscious of the proximity of such dangerous
foes. Some object in the open glade had fixed its
attention ; but what this could be, neither Jake nor the
two young hunters were able to guess. In its gradual
approach it had at length placed itself within easy rifie-
shot ; but the curiosity of the ambushed party as to its
future movements caused them to reserve their fire.
They now could observe that the cougar flattened itself
out, and almost seemed to sink into the ground ; in
which position it would have certainly escaped the eye
of any one who had not previously watched its
motions.

_-«X^" '

Imi

200

DEATH OF THE COUGAR.

A few yards from the spot where it crouchecl, tlicrc
was visible a siiiali projection, wliieli the trappers luid
regarded as a stump or a tussock of grass. Suddenly tlic
cougar launched itself forward, and, to the astonislmif nt
of the hunters, this became all at once aniniatcil, aiid
leaped with a feeble scream from its position. Bclurc
it had gained half-a-dozen yards, its fierce and active
enemy bounded upon it, and in a second the unresist-
ing prey lay still upon the grass. At this moment throe
sharp reports startled the quiet of the scene, and tlic
cougar, springing to the height of four feet in tlie air,
rolled over on its back.

"Hooraw!" cried Jake; "here's the skunk we Jioord
a-singin' this blessed evenin'. — Come, my beauty," ho
continued, as he ran forward, followed by the young
men ; " let's hev a squint at yer p'ints. I reckin yer
didn't know old Jake Hawken wur a-lookin' ou at yer
— no, that yer didn't."

So saying, the old hunter unsheathed his knife, .iml,
with the aid of his companions, in a very few minutes
relieved the still quivering carcass of its hide.

" I reckin 'tain't as valeable as black fox," he ob-
served as ho folded up the reeking trophy and slung it
over his shoulder ; " but 'tain't often one runs agin n
' painter,' an' the honour o' the thing must make up for
the loss."

The smaller animal next attracted their attention.
It was a hare, which the cougar had no doubt tracked
from the woods by the scent. Tliis Pierre deposited

PLEASURES OF A HUNTEIVS LIFE,

201

hcil, till re
,pp('rs liad
Ulcnlvtlic
onisliiiirnt
natcil, and
n. Bciuvt!
[111(1 active
3 imresist-
mont three
le, and tlie
, in the air,

Iv \ve heerd

beauty," ho

the young

reckin yer

i' on at yer

knife, and,
ew minutes

ox," he ob-
nd slung it
uns agin a
lake up tVir

liis game-bag as a welcome addition to their

r attention.
ul)t trackec
•e deposited

larder.

The neighbourhood having been much disturbed by
this occurrence, the party determined to proceed to the
Athabasca without further delay ; and after an hour's
walking through the sombre shades and moonlit open-
ings of the woods, they at length emerged on tho river
bank at a spot not one hundred yards from their
camp.

This they found exactly as they had left it, no human
being, apparently, having passed that way during their
absence. A fire was soon crackling and flaming, send-
ing around its cheerful glow; and upon the great embers
beaver meat sputtered and the large kettle hissed and
bubbled, while the three hunters bustled about the
blaze, busily engaged in the pleasant task of preparing
supper.

" Who says a hunter's life is not a pleasant one ? "
said Pierre as he lounged on a pile of soft pine branch-
lets, within comfortable reach of both the meat and the
kettle. " For my part, I feel happy only in the woods."

" Right ye are there," said Jake. " I feels alius as
ef a load wur put down on my gizzard when I gets
into the settlements. Civilyzation don't pan worth a
cent wi' this niggur, you bet. Tliur plan o' livin' in
houses 'ud kill a boss ; an' as fur thur victuals, I don't
know arey a beast a-livin' as cud hold up agin 'em. I
1 I wur laid out flat fur a week — an' in a house at that,
arter chawin' some fixins I once got at a party. I

202

THE LUMHER THADK.

iir

guess T mod tracks out o' theiii diggins as soon as I ciul
rise on my scrapers — I did so."

"Life in a crowd is not pleasant," oltservcd (iaultior.
" I once had to live in a thickly -settled district for
nearly two years, an' I thought the very air wonM
have choked me. Then there were annoyances ui .lit'.
ferent kinds. Money M'as hard to come by, and meat
was scarce. I never lived as well as we do out licie,
where we have the best of game for tlie shooting. Pigs
and corn and Congress seeme<l to be the only tilings
anybod}' cared for ; and I was daily disgusted at seeing
the few remaining patches of woodland in the neigli-
bourhood hacked down. I was right glad when at last
I was al)le to get back into the wilderness."

"Thur's one class o' people," said Jake, "that (»ittr
git clurred out o' the country right straight away, and
them's the coons that boss the lumber trade. They
won't leave cover for a chitmunk in a few years' time.
Why, when I wur a-growin' up younkcr, I reelects
rivers, an' big ones at that, Mdiur yer wouldnt sec
water enuff now to float a chip, an' all o' hevin' tlic
woods cut down. I reckin clurrin off the timber dried
the springs. The grand old woods I used to walk in
when fust I carried a rifle ur turned into floors an'
doors long enuflfago now, I guess. Ef thur's anything
this old niggur hates wuss 'n civilyzation, it's tlieni
lumber thieves that robs the wilderness o' its beauty."

" I heard," said Pierre, " w^hen T was last in Toronto,
" that it was intended to brinof in a law to check the

.■■;«;'i

WANTOiV iVASTh'.

203

wanton waste of timber wliicli has laid liare many
sections of tli<' country. Inducements have been lield
out to prairie settlers to plant trees on their farms ;
])iiL for one tree planted there, a thousand have been
cut elsewhere."

"This coon has lived fifty years," said .lake, "an'
never did he see a settler ])lant a tree. J don't bliovc
it's in the critter to do it. No ! A settler has but one
idee in his brain-box, an' that is that every tree's a
rattlesnake standin' on his tail ; and the more o' em he
chops the more he's pleased."

" I am afraid, Jake," said Pierre, " that you are riL,dit.
Wholesale waste is their rule. At a meeting in con-
nection with the lumber trade not loni^ a^-o in Chicaw,
it ^\ as stated that at the present rate of destruction the
forests in the United States would be cleared out in
about twenty years."

" Wal, I dunno about that," replied Jake. " I knows
o' many a mile o' woods whur no lumberman's axe has
chopped a tree yit ; an' better 'n that, thur ain't a crick
'ud float a grasshopper 'ithin a hunderd miles. Ontil
they gits thur all-tired i-ailways into them diggins,
thiir'll be elber-room for a hunt. I ain't skeert wi' the
thorts that the game an' w^oods won't last my time ;
but I guess I kin smell the end o' it for all that — wuss
luck !"

" The settlers won't reach wdiere we are now for a
good w Idle, anyhow," observed Gaultier ; " and I
heartily hope they'll never come half-w^ay. What a

204

OENUINE rirrLosorii r.

|i'

nice world it'll be ^vhcn there is not a spot left tliat
doesn't belong to .somebody, and not a tiling; to be seen
but bullocks hero and pigs there ! And that things arc
coming to this I liavc no doubt. See the change that
has taken place about Winnipeg within the last few
years."

" Boyecs," said Jake, '*yer needn't take on about it.
The woods an' plains an' mountains '11 last our time,
nnyhow ; an' let them as kim arter us take kear o' them-
sells. That's this child's opecnion o' the matter, an' 1
calc'late it's genuine phcelosophy, as I've hearn some o'
them queerities as lives by book-larnin' say."

Having argued the matter to this pithy conclusion,
the hunters allowed the subject to drop. The tire was
replenished with several giant logs, which soon became
a mass of flame, throwing a hot-house atmosphere round
the spot.

Fatigued by their day's exertions, as well as over-
come by the drowsy influence of the warm camp, the
hunters threw themselves upon the lairs which they
had constructed, and soon their deep and regular breath-
ing alone disturbed the midnight quiet.

CIIAPTKll XIV.

IK.VVK C AMP— AURIV.Vr. AT FOUT PIEIUIE— A IIKAIITY WF.IXOME— PIF.IIIIK .S HATIM-
FACTION— JKALOUSy— A IIIVAL KOIl MISH FUA/ER'h AKFKi TIONM— A "hcKNE"

— THE CHAI.LENdE— riKllllE'H OODR nEHOLUTIONH— HIS ArOI.OCiV UE.IECTED

— M'LKOD'h TIIUEAT — IMERKK's (ONSCI KNTIOfrt KCKl'I'LES — THE l>i:KL— TKIl-
lilllLE TKAdEDY — MISS FKA/Ell's DEATH — AdONY OK m'i.PDK -- J AKk'H
ACCOUNT —THE FUNEIIAL — THE MEETINd AT THE (IIIAVE— DIMAI'I'EAllANCE
(IF m'lF.OU.

OCR trappers reincainod a week in this neiglil)Ourlioo(1,
(luring which time they secured a goodly store of furs.
Although it was not, properly speaking, the season for
taking the beaver, they nevertheless were unable to
resist the opportunity of prosecuting their profession
aH'orded by the well-stocked preserve at the Twin Lakes.
At length the last beaver they intended to take was
caught, and the last trap lifted. They collected their
various effects, which had been securely stored within
the hut built when first they resolved to make a sojourn
at this spot. These they placed upon the raft, which
liad floated by the place, and which they had tethered
to a tree ; and having taken a last regretful look
around the scene of their temporary home, the line was
unfastened, and the trappers were once more afloat on
tlie powerful waters of the Athabasca.

"! 1

■1

■'.!■! ';

^ ::i" i

206

ARRIVAL AT FORT PIERRE.

After a few days of pleasant travel, they arrived at
Fort Pierre, where they were warmly received by ]\Ir.
Frazer. Here both the young men found foriuor ac-
quaintances, who welcomed them with acclamation ;
and many were the stories told of hairbreadth escapes,
and adventures by flood and field, that had happened
.since the friends had met.

At the fort time passed pleasantly. Jake, indeed,
Avho ;,3emed indifferent to all considerations of time or
place, provided his wants of meat and tobacco were
supplied, resigned himself to the enjoyments of eating
and giving or receiving news with great content. As
may readily be supposed, Pierre found himself the
truest of Miss Frazer's father with a feelino- of satisfac-
tion. The fascinating girl whose life he had saved was
his hostess, and in her society the days seemed to pass
very rapidly.

Each day some new obstacle was discovered to im-
pede his departure ; and although some hunting ex-
cursions were planned, in which Jake and Ganltiev
participated, Pierre preferred to act the idler, and
spent the time in escorting Miss Frazer to various
points of interest in the neighbourhood.

This marked attention on the part of the yonno-
trapper did not escape the observation of the residents
at the fort. Amonc: these there was one to whom the
growing intimacy between Miss Frazer and the trapper
was especially distasteful. This \v'j.h a clerk in the
employment of the young lady's father.

arrived afc
ed by Mr.
[ornicr ac-
clamation ;
th escapes,
happened

ve, indeed,
of time or
jacco were
; of catino;
ntent. As
imself the
li satisfac-
savcd was
led to pass

red to ini-

untino- ex-

d Ganltier

idler, and

to various

the young
ic residents
whom the
the trapper
lerk in the

A PASSIONATE RIVAL.

207

As Pierre passed him one morning, the pent-up
jealousy which his attentions had excited at length
burst forth. The interview took place at a spot on the
banks of the Athabasca not four hundred yards from
the fort. Pierre having observed that some one was
standing motionless by the water, advanced slowly ;
and when within a short distance recognized his rival,
whose name was M'Lecjd.

Not wishing to appear desirous of avoiding him, the
young trapper approached, and courteously bade him
good-morning. To his surprise, JM'Leod took no notice of
his presence, but continued to gaze steadily upon the river.

Suddenly he turned, and in a voice hoarse with
passion exclaimed, —

" How dare you speak to me, you sneaking wolf-
cateher ? With your Frenchified airs and graces you
step across an honest man's path, and wriggle yourself
into the confidence of people, who, if they knew you as
well as I do, would kick you into the Athabasca."

"And if 7/oit know me so very well," said Pierre
quietly, " why don't you kick me into the Athabasca?"

■' Because I have too much respect for one whose
name I will not mention in your presence, to make a
brawl with a wandering butcher like you," replied
M'Leod.

" You are very careful of your reputation in the
interest of others," said Pierre scornfully; "but this
sliall not serve your purpose. You shall not escape mo
in this manner."

p. ^•:

lit

208

^ CHALLENGE.

M'Leod, to the full as hot in temper as Pierre, ex-
claimed, —

" I do not wish to escape you in any way, or to have
you suppose I am afraid of anything you can do. If
you think I have said anything which needs satisfac-
tion, I am ready to back with my hand whatever I
have said."

"And I am equally ready," cried Pierre. "To-mor-
row be it, then, at daybreak, in the beaver meadow
behind the fort. Our rifles will settle this dispute,
and may he who falls find mercy ! "

These words Pierre pronounced calndy ; and leavini^
liis incensed rival still standing by the river, the hunter
returned to the fort. As he left the spot, his quick eye
cauGfht si^rht of a woman's dress amonjij the trees nut
far from the place where the altercation had occurred ;
but in the excited frame of mind in which he Mas,
despite his outward calm, he bestowed no attention ou
the circumstance. How vividly it was afterwards re-
called to his mind !

During the remainder of the day Pierre had a difli-
cult part to perform, in the effort to appear gay and
unembarrassed in the society of his comrades, while
within, the recollection of his quarrel, together with the
uncertainty of the result of the impending duel, sufficed
to chill his spirits.

He was deprived, too, of whatever of a counteracting
influence Miss Frazer's company might have afforded,
as that young lady w^as said to be confined to her room

A GOOD RESOLUTION.

209

Pierre, ex-

or to liavc
3an do. If
ds satisfac-
wliatever I

" To-mor-
er meadow
lis dispute,

and leaving;
, the hunter
IS quick eye
le trees not
d occurred ;
ch he was,
,ttention on
erwards re-
had a difR-
;ar gay and
ades, while
ler with the
uel, suthcfd

unteracting'
ve atibrdeJ,
to her room

by a bad headache, and even at supper did not
appear.

In the twilight Pierre walked along the banks of the
Athabasca, which he felt that he at length, perhaps,
beheld for the last time. The evening air was calm ;
the water flowed silently past, reflecting here and there
the fading flush of sunset skies ; the woods sent forth
their resinous fragrance ; and across the peaceful bosom
of the river the wuld-duck led her brood. Nature was
at rest ; and as the young hunter walked, the holy
calm of wood and water seemed to breathe a quiet on
his soul, and to still the passions that disturbed it.

Seating himself on a mossy trunk w^hich had fallen
forward from the verge of the forest, Pierre cast his
eyes nito the far-off" skies, from wdiich the flaming
colours of the sunset w^ere fading into amber and pale
gold ; and as he gazed he became lost to the present.
Visions of the past crowded his mind ; and with them,
like the scent of distant meadoAvs wafted on the breeze,
came the recollections of his childhood and of the teach-
ings of his mother.

Gradually he realized how incompatible with these
was his present position ; and his moral consciousness
being once awakened, the young hunter immediately
resolved to be no longer the slave of passion. With
this determination he arose, and walked quickly towards
the fort. Just as he reached the open space wdiich sur-
rounded the buildings, he sa,w a flgiire in the uncertain
light moving slowly towards him. It was M'Leod. Full

210

A REJECTED APOLOGY.

of his new-born good resolution, Pierre advanced and
held out his hand.

" I have been, perhaps, too hasty, Mr. M'Leod," said
he, " and am sorry if I've given you ofFeriee."

" I never thought much of you," was the ungracious
reply ; " but I hardly guessed you were so white-livered
as this. What ! you give up your pretensions to Miss
Frazer's hand, and say you are sorry for having eiitei-
tained them ?"

" You must wilfully misunderstand my meaning/'
replied Pierre, feeling the old leaven of anger rising
within him ; " but I cannot even allow you the })reteiice
of doubt. I surrender nothing beyond my foolisli de-
sire for what is called ' satisfaction,' and wliicli 1 iind
my conscience will not allow me to entertain ony
longer."

"Ha, ha!" laughed M'Leod; "that's very good! A
fellow like you pretending to have a conscience ' 111
tell you, my tine fellow, what your conscience consists
of — a very rational love of a whole skin. That's ijuai'
conscience. I shall expect you all the same at the
beaver meadow at daybreak ; and," he added in a tone
which left no doubt of his sincerity, " if you are not
there I will shoot you like a dog wherever I meet
with you. You shall not stand in m}^ way."

So saying, he turned and walked swiftly towards
the fort, where he was followed, though slowly, by the
young trapper.

It is no disparagement of Pierre's courage to say

CONSCIENTIOUS SCRUPLES.

211

incctl an»l

iGod," ScVkI

iimTacious
ite-Uvercd
JUS to Mis-^
nx\fs. eiitev-

meaning,'
ng'cr vising
he pretence
foolish (le-
^'hich I iind
Lei'tain nny

o-oou

(1! A
;ience • 1 H
icc consists
'hat's ijodi'
lame at the
led in a tone
you are not
■ver 1 meet

Itly towards
)\vly, l)y tlie

Ira^'c to siiy

that his reflections were not of the most pleasant kind.
Conscientiously he disapproved of duelling ; yet here
lie found himself a principal in an affair which, while
he heartily condemned it, he could hardly avoid.

He tried to quiet the scruples that assailed him by
reflecting that to accept the challenge was the only
alternative left to him by the threat which JSI'Leod
had uttered. After much consideration, he finally de-
termined to be present at the place and time assigned ;
but ho was firmly resolved not to wield his weapon in
his own defence except in the last extremity. He
judged it prudent not to tell either Jake or Gaultier of
the unpleasant circumstances in which he was involved,
lest their advice and assistance might still further em-
barrass him ; and having left a letter for Gaultier,
explaining the unfortunate events which led to his
present predicament, Pierre committed Lhnself to sleep
with what composure he might.

After a night disturbed with restless dreams, the
young hunter awoke. At first he failed to recall his
position, or the circumstances in which he was placed.
But gradually the unwelcome facts forced themselves
upon his recollection ; and after the first chilling shock
had in some degree subsided, he rose and prepared for
the event which was to determine his life or death.

The objections which his conscience had raised on

I the preceding evening now returned with redoubled

torce. In vain he opposed to them the specious argu-

inents which at all times have been offered to palliate

(Tso;

212

THE MEETING ON THE MEADOW.

III.'

homicide for a mere punctilio or an iflea. Tlieso van-
islied before the criticism of his conscience.

Smotliering the suggestions of his better nature, tli(>
young hunter left the fort in the gray light oi:' <l;i\\ ii,
and directed his steps towards the beaver meadow,
which lay embosomed in the woods at the distance of
about a mile from the Athabasca, The fou' wliieli
enwrapped the surrounding scenery was scarcely nioro
chillinix to the senses than were the thoufjhts wliicli
occupied our trapper on his way to the rendezvous.
The criminality of the act he was engaged in, the un-
certain issue of the duel, and the pain it had cost him
to keep the matter hidden from his tried and trusted
companions, weighed down his spirits and made liiin
completely wretched.

The indulgence of our passions often demands as
many sacrifices as the practice of virtue ; and yet how
many are ready to acquiesce in the one, and how few
to follow the other !

Leaden as were the steps which led Pierre towards
the place of appointment, he at length emerged from
the shades of the forest ; and as he did so, his eye fell
upon the figure of his antagonist, already upon the
ground and leaning on his rifle.

On seeing Pierre approach, M'Leod advanced to meet j
him, and wdth an affectation of courtesy touched liisj
hat ; which salute was gravely returned by the trapper.

" I am glad," he observed, as he looked insultingly atj
Pierre, " that you are not such a slink as I took youl

PREPARING TO FIRE.

213

rbesc van-

iiatiiiv, the

it o£ (liuvn,

)X meadow,

distance of

foe ^vllich
iavcely inov-'
udits \vLieli

rendezvous,
d in, tlie un-
had cost him
. and trusted
id made liiin

demands as
and yet liow
and how few

•icrve towanls
[emerged fvoin
io, his eye fell
>ady upo^^ ^^''

vanccdtoweetl

^y touched his I

|by thetvappei'.j

b insultingly at

as I took yo"|

for. I infer from your keeping your appointment that
you still refuse to resign your claim to Miss Frazer ?"

" I have already said enough on that point," replied
Pierre, " We have come here, I suppose, for another
object than mutual recriminations."

" Enough," answered M'Leod. " Your blood be upon
your own head. Take your stand by this tree. I will
stand beside that pine an hundred yards down the
meadow ; and at the w^ord ' Three,' we will raise our
rifles and fire."

Without a word Pierre placed himself beneath the
boughs of a tree which stood by the spot, and watched
his relentless adversary as he strode towards a solitary
pine, wdiose scathed and weather-bleached branches
stretched like the arms of a skeleton from the lifeless
trunk. Upon the topmost twig a vulture perched in
an uneasy balance, and with sleepy eye seemed pre-
pared to view the contest, his foul instincts having
apparently led him to the spot in anticipation of a
meal.

Pierre shuddered as he heard the dismal croak of the
ominous bird, which ogled M'Leod without alarm as
lie approached the withered pine. A thought as swift
as liaht shot through the young trapper's brain — the op-
portunity suggested it. M'Leod had not quite reached
the spot from which he intended to fire ; his back was
turned, and Pierre stood with rifle cocked and ready.
But from whatever source the thought had sprung, the
hunter repelled it as unworthy. Another moment and

illlli

214

A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.

ill
I

'I!':

ii'

11,

it was too late; M'Leod was at his post; liis face was
turned towards Pierre, and in a cold, steady voice lie
called out, " Are you ready ?"

Pierre replied, " Quite ready."

Then came, in the same measured tones, " One — two —
three !"

Scarcely had the last word reached the trapper's
ears, when a bullet whistled so close past his cheek that
he started, and slipping upon a gnarled root, he fell to
tho earth. At the same instant a piercing shriek rang
through the meadow, followed, or rather acconipaiiied,
by shouts and oaths uttered in the well-known voice
of old Jake. Pierre sprang to his feet and rushed in
the direction of these sounds. A horrible foreho.lino-
possessed him, which he could not define. He was
oppressed by a sense that something terrible had oc-
curred. He scarcely noticed that by his side, running
with swift, eager steps, was his deadly enemy,
M'Leod,

A iew moments sufficed to carry them within tho
verge of the woods ; and there, stretched lifeless upon
the ground, her head supported across the lap of old
Jake, lay Miss Frazer, the life-blood streaming fast
from a bullet-hole in her breast, and forming a crinisoii
pool among the grass.

With a look of speechless horror M'Leod gazed upon
the corpse, fair even in death. A smile seemed to part
her lips, and between them her pearly teeth were vis-
ible, as when she laughed in life.

SHE IS DEAD!"

216

iio' a crimson

"She is dead!" exclaimed M'Lcod ; "and, gracious
Heaven! I am her murderer!"

Here the wretched man threw himself upon the
ground, and gave way to the extremity of his grief.
He alternately confessed and denied his guilt, and in
the inconsistency of his assertions even charged Pierre
with being accessory to the dreadful catastrophe. We
will draw a veil over the scenes that ensued. Horror-
stricken, the three men bore the remains of the young
lady to the fort, where the agonies of her distracted
father added, if possible, another pang to the sufferings
which Pierre endured.

Old Jake showed more feeling on this occasion than
either of his comrades had conceived him capable of.
He actually shed tears while relating the circumstances
which had led him and Miss Frazer to the scene of the
duel on this fatal morning.

" The poor young critter," said the old hunter, " kem
to ine an' telled me that shj had seed yer jawin' each
other l)y the bank o' the Aohabasca, an' had heerd yer
settlin' about meetin' next mornin' to squar' up things
ill tlie beaver meadow. ' Wal, Jake,' says she, ' wo
must stop this. I kin think o' no way o' doin' it,
'ceptin' we goes to the place app'inted an' tells 'em to
gov up. I don't think they'll go on with it ef I shows
out among 'em, an' begs 'em to be friends for my sake.'
Them's the very words o' the dear young critter. 0'
coorse I \vur agreeable, an' as it fell out we wur a trifle
too late on the ground. I seed M'Leod throw up his

S16

THE FUNKHA L.

shootin' iron; an' at the crack I licord tbo l>fill tukf tlic
poor young woman wi' a thud yur cud liear five r(Mls
off. 'Twur orful ! Boyccs, this nigL,nn\s seed a man v
ugly sights in his time, but may J be considerable
blamed if any o' 'em kin toe up to the mark \\\ tliL'>5L'
hyur doiu's 1 Wagh ! it freezes my old gizzard to
think o't!"

The funeral took place at an early hour the next day.
Not far from the fort was a small plot of emerald grei'ii
grass surrounded by trees and traversed by a little
brook, on the banks of which, at a spot whence a vista
through the trees gave a glimpse of the Athidiasca, a
grave was dug. A rustic scat stood near, where the
ill-fated girl had been accustomed to speud imicli of
her time, occup^-^d with her pencil or with her readin-;'.
All the employe's of the fort attended ; and, rough fel-
lows as these were, the sincerity of their grief was
evident.

After the short and simple ceremony, the procession
returned to the fort, upon which a deep gloom seemed
to have descended. The men stood about in groups,
and conversed in low tones ; and whenever Mr. Frazer
appeared, their sympathy was evidenced by their sud-
den silence, and the profoundly respectful manner of
their bearing as he passed.

This was a day of intensest misery to Pierre. Ho
felt in some sort answerable for the dreadful event,
which his conscience told him would not have taken
place if he had had the moral courage to obey its die-

I '^ J

Till-: Mi:KTINi! AT TllK (in.WK.

217

tatcs. Hi! Wcandoml i'loiii placu to place, ov('l'^vll('lln<'(l
l»v liittcr ri'llcct.ions, aiKl j^'iv'm^ way to i)a.s.sionate
liiirsts of an^niisli.

As the dusk of evening fell upon river and forest,
it found tlio young hunter still listlessly pacing to and
fro V)y the verge of the Athabasca. Here he liad, only
two days ago, met IM'Leod ; and here the rash chal-
lenge liad been given and aocopte*!. His eye involun-
tarily sought the spot where, as the reader may re-
iiieinbL'r, it ha<l then caught a glimpse of a wonum's
(hvss ; and as it did .so he started. A iigure glided
tlirouuh the trees in the direction of the little trravc-
yard, and was lost inuniKliately in the gloom.

Pierre's first reflections were tinged hy the supersti-
tion so common to most backwoodsmen ; but after some
consideration he determined to follow the hiiui-e. A
few minutes placed him by the edge of the miniature
glade we have already described. In the failing light
ho was at first unable to distinguish any object upon
its surface ; but as he slowly and cautiously approached
the spot where the grave had been made, a dark figure
was discernible upon the ground. Th(> sounds of heavy
sobs fell upon Ills ear, while the writhings of the pros-
trate mourner attested the violence of the feelings 1)y
which he was agitated. Feeling that he was an in-
truder on a grief more sacred than his own, Pierre was
about to withdraw as quietly as he had come, when
suddenly the mourner rose and at once discovered his
presence. It was M'Leod. For a moment the two

'; 1

: n >=

\.>\

218

A SINdlfLMt ADliIiKSS.

■

men ^azcd upon each other across the j^'ravc of Inr
whom they both liad loved, and to whom their attach-
ment liad been so t'atah M'Leod broke the silence.

" Well may you come to <,'rievo by lier side," said lie,
"for you, too, are her murderer. It was my Jiaiid ^WA
the deed; but you will share my j^uilt liet'ore Ih'avcn.
Henceforth wo are neither friends nor enemies. As U)V
me, 1 shall need nothing more."

Appalled by this singular address, Pierre stood with-
out reply. IM'Leod seemed by a supreme eflbrt to cahii
liiniself, and then, bending forward, he kissed the .sod
upon the little mound, and walked slowly towards tlic
woods which fringed the Athabasca. Pierie, imicli
moved, retraced his steps to the fort; but M'JxMjd did
not return. From that day forward nothing was heard
of liim. Whether he connnitted suicide, or otherwise
fell a victim to his grief, was never known.

CllAlTErv XV.

illK TIIAI'I'KUS I.KAVK KOIIT riKISUK - (M.OOM Y UKKLK4TIONH— .lAKK (IKTS HKHTIVK
— A I'AMl'— AN INDIAN VIHITOIl -AN KX I'l.OHION — KMCAI'E OK TIIIC INKIAN —
HUNT Foil IIUKAKKAST— <IAri,TIKIl's A DVKNTUUK— or.I> JAKK MTAI.KKI) ll\*
WAVAdKH— HE IH HAVED BV tlAULTIEK— DEATH OF THE IN Ul AN.S - I'IEUUE'S
llinillN ANU AMTONISIIMRNT,

Arn:;u the sad scenes detailed in the last chapter, it is
not surprising that our trappers should find a further
stay at the fort undesirable. They therefore made
every arrangement for their departure on the day fol-
lowing the funeral ; and early on the succeeding morn-
ing they endjarked in a new canoe furnished to them
by Mr. Frazer, and once more floated upon the ample
liosom of the Athabasca. Short as was the time since
they had arrived at Fort Pierre, the sad events that
had occurred during that interval impressed them with
a .sense of having passed through an indefinite period
of unhappiness.

During the first days that succeeded their departure,
the hunters — or, more properly, Pierre and Gaultier —
Were unusually silent, each reflecting on his share in
tlie recent tragic episodes. Jake — who, to do him
justice, had evinced an amount of feeling considerable
iov one of his class — at len^jth be^an to get restive

o o o

W..

l?S';u

'II

Hi.,:

220

A CAMP rnoposhi).

under the glooiiiy inHuenco of liis siloiu companions.
At lirst the old liuntoi' had ventured to make an occa-
sional remark, in the hope of starting some ccuversa-
tion. But finding them unresponsive, ho broke out
with, —

" This hyur boat ur an undertaker's hearse, it 'pears
to this coon. I'm not agin lookin' sober for a KL'tlc,
now an' agin, when a friend goes under. But tlie bocjt's
on the otlict- leg altogether wlicn fellurs makes day an'
night of it, an' puts the sun in their pockets. It aiut
fair, fellurs, I toll ycr. Brighten up thur, will ycr!
Ef I've got to run this hunt in traces wi' two duimni(>s,
I guess I'm out o' it."

This rough hint had the desired eflect, and both i\w
young men made an eflfbrt to shake off the oppression
on their spirits. This became more easy as the distance
between them and the scene of the tragedy increased.
The genial skies, sparkling water, and ever present fra-
grant forest, helped tlieni to combat their gloomy re-
flections ; and in the course of a week or two they had
in a great degree recovered their equanimity. An
incident or two occurred which broke in upon the
monotonous routine of travel.

It v/as evening, and the party had landed as usu.il
ii,bout sundown, in order to encamp for the niglit. As
the sky looked threatening, Jake proposed that they
should construct a good camp to protect them from the
impending storm. To this suggestion both Pierre and
Gaultier assented, and presently the neighbourhood

now

AN INDIAN VISITOR.

221

)iupani()iis.
CO an oc'cii-
\ cciivei'sii"
broke out

so, it 'peril's
or a leotlo,
it tlu! boot's
,kos clav ail'
ts. It aiirt
V, ^vill yorl
ro diiiinnios,

md both tlio
p oppvossioii
tlie distance
ly iiicvoased.
present fra-
L- gloomy re-
\\Q they had
liniity. An
[11 upon the

:lod as nsnal
lO night. As
jd that they
loin from the
bh Pierre and
i(dibourliood

rang with the merry chink of tlicir axes and the crash
of falHng pines. A sufficient supply of the umbrageous
brandies was soon collected, and secured atjainst a
rvaniework of poles.

In the art of constructing a rain-proof shanty the
hunters were great proficients, so that in a very short
time a neat comfortable hut was erected, and a huge
^irc blazed opposite the door, throwing a ruddy glo\v
upon the river, which was hardly ten yards distant.

Within this snug retreat the baggage was placed;
and the trappers w^ere just about to throw themselves
upon the carpet of balsam fir-sprays with which tliey
liad strewn the floor of the hut, when suddenly an
Indian canoe, paddled by a solitary Redskin, rounded
the point and made straight for the camp.

In a few moments the new-comer landed and ap-
proached the fire. Contrary to the usual Indian cus-
tom of waiting for an invitation, the savage seated him-
self, and after looking furtively at his new associates,
said, —

■'Hope plenty meat — Injun heap hungry."

" Wal, old coon," replied Jake, " hyur's a griskin o' a
deer as wur lopin' airly yesterday niornin'. 'Taint
much, but it's all we've spared. I guess we didn't
know yer wur coming', or we mout hev kept a leetle
more."

The Red.skin did not appear to hear the old liunter's
apology, but seized the proffered venison, and devoured
it after the fashion of a famished wolf. Before such a

;'■ ■'

I' : ■■',■

; 1

I- :W

I • !» ■ ■!!

222

A HUNGRY liEDSKIN.

vigorous attack the slender supply quickly disnppcared;
and seeinf^j that no more food was forthcomin<r, he
began to beg for powder.

"Injun got no powder," he said; "deer plenty, Lut
no good for want of powder. Paleface give poor Injun
some."

" I don't think we can give you much, Redskin," said
Pierre ; " we have a very long way yet to go, and will
need all we have for ourselves."

" Paleface can get l^eap more at Fort Vermilion," re-
plied the savage; " hf has goods to trade, but Injun
poor and has nothing. Trader will not t ist him."

" Let us give him a quarter of a pound, Jake," sug-
gested Gaultier ; " you have tiie big horn full, and Pierre
and I have plenty of cartridges loaded to last us fur a
month."

Without replying, the old hunter strode down to tlic
Indian's canoe, and stooping, lifted from under a deer-
skin a canister of powder, which had evidently not yet
been opened. Gaultier, out of curiosity, approaclied:
and while his back was turned, the Indian, believing
himself unobserved, seized old Jake's large horn and
hid it beneath his blanket. The old hunter, however,
had seen this manoeuvre, and coming suddenly to the
Indian's side, he taxed him with the theft.

"Ye thievin' skunk!" cried the incensed trapper,
"d'yer think this old coon's a-gwine to be bunifoozled
that a- way ? I guess he ain't, by a long chalk. Come !
out wi' that horn, or I'll jest put yer an' it together

A DEAFENING EXPLOSION.

223

ipppoarcd;
oming", lie

)k'uty, Ijut
poor Injun

Iskin," said
;o, and will

milion," re-
but Injun
t him."
Jake," sug-
,, and Pierre
ast us fur a

ted trapper,

bunifoozled

ilk. Come !

it tos^ether

across the fire ; an' we'll see how yer likes that per-
fumery"

Suitinof the action to the word, Jake seized the savasfe
by the arm ; when, quick as light, the latter sprang
from his sitting posture, flung the large horn into the
tire, and rushed towards the canoe, into which he leaped,
and with the impetus of his motion sent the light craft
skimming out into the stream.

At the same instant a deafening explosion took place,
and flaming logs and sparks shot into the air, while
clouds of smoke and ashes hung above the spot, con-
cealing within their thick wreaths the figures of the
trappers, and indeed the whole camp.

From Avithin their dun folds could be heard the wild
exclamations of old Jake.

"The all-fired skunk has blown my daylights out
clur through my neck. O Plumcentre, my leetle
woman, whur ar yer ? Ef I'd only my claws on that
bit o' iron, I'd make fire streak through that varmint's
brain-pan."

As the smoke and ashes subsided, both Pierre and
Gaultier were visible rubbing their eyes, and each in
I his owMi fashion expressing his feelings.

" It is astonishing," said Pierre, " that wo have
escaped so well as we have done. There must have
been at least a pound of powder in that horn, and I
cm hardly conceive how we escaped being blown to
pieces."

"It had too much i;oom to bust up in," said Jake,

if i , '

iv,:.„

224

A KINDLY ARRANGEMENT.

:\ il

" and that allers takes the bite out o' powder. Ef wed
been in a tight place, you bet we'd hev streaked it
among the stars."

"What will you do without your powder, Jake?"
asked Gaultier; "you have only the small horn at your
belt left now."

" Ef ye'd been in my place," answered the old trapper,
" that's all yer 'ud hev ; but I guess this child ain't so
green as that."

So saying, he held up the Indian's canister, wliich
contained fully as much as the horn that had been de-
stroyed.

The young hunters laughed ; and all three set tliem-
selves to replace the fire, which had been scattered far
and wide by the explosion.

Judging it prudent to leave one of their number to
keep the first watch, in case the Indian should return
and take them unawares, the others bestowed themselves
upon the elastic balsam -sprays, and soon fell asleep.

During the night nothing occurred to disturb the
solemn stillness of the woods. The soft plash of the
river, the sighing of the wind as it swept over the forest,
or the distant bark of the fox, harmonized with the
quiet scene, and contributed to its solemnity. Old
Jake kept the first watch, and was succeeded by each
of his companions in turn. This was their usual
arrangement, suggested by Pierre out of deference to
the greater age of the trapper, who thus had an undis-
turbed sleep for the best part of the night.

A HUNT FOR BREAKFAST.

225

The cheery voice of the old hunter awoke the young
men next morning at an early hour, and announced
that as the larder was absolutely empty, the party must
hunt for their breakfast. After a refreshing plunge in
the deep waters of the Athabasca, the young trappers
•shouldered their rifles. Leaving Jake to keep camp,
they separated, Gaultier following the river in search
of water-fowl, while Pierre plunged into the forest in
pursuit of deer.

We will accompany Gaultier in his ramble by the
liver. It was yet gray twilight, but the sky was clear.
In its blue depths sparkled stars which were momen-
tarily growing pale. The air was delightfully fresh,
and was filled with the fragrance of the pines, M^hich
were mirrored faithfully in the river. Soon the sun
cHmbed above the eastern horizon, and shot golden
beams into every opening in the woods, glancing with
prismatic brilliancy on the dew-drops which studded
every branch and spray.

Animated with a happy sympathy with nature, the
young trapper cautiously followed the sinuosities of
the Athabasca ; but the water-fowl seemed unusually
shy and scarce. Gaultier was much puzzled by this,
as the birds were visible day by day in large flocks ;
and, in fact, the party had almost got tired of shooting
and eating them. Still, in the dearth of other provi-
sion, the young hunter was most anxious to fill his
bag ; and he therefore held on, expecting to come upon a
flock of ducks or a swan round each bend in the river.

*j^**l__

226

A MYSTERY UNRAVELLED.

The mystery, however, was soon unravullcd. On
runnin,^ his eye closely down one bank of the river, lie
suddenly discerned a canoe on the margin of the water,
while a thin column of smoke ascended from a tire
under the edge of the forest. Two figures sat hy tlie
blaze ; and although the distance was several liun(lre(l
yards, Gaultier had no difficulty in perceiving that they
were Indians.

Recollecting the unpleasant episode of the preceding
evening, the young trapper kept himself carefully con-
cealed, and watched from his ambush the motions of
the savages. These presently rose, and having extin-
guished their fire, they got into their canoe and crossed
to his side of the river. Here they disembarked, and
lifting the canoe from the water, they carried it into
the woods, and placed it behind a bush scarcely fifty
yards from the spot where Galiltier lay hidden.

Having accomplished this to their satisfaction, they
took their rifles, and with the utmost caution they ad-
vanced in the direction of the camp. Gaultier's heart
beat quickly as they passed his ambush ; but evidently
they did not suspect his presence, as they walked along
noiselessly and swiftly, keeping under cover of the woods.

From the secret and stealthy mode of their advance
so near the camp, Gaultier became convinced of their
hostile intentions. He was the more sure of this, as
in one of them he recognized their visitor of the pre-
vious evening. Filled with fear for the safety of old
Jake if these skulking enemies should ambush him at

ST A LKED B Y SA VA OES.

227

Blled. On
le river, lie
: tlio water,
[rom a tire
sat l)y the
al liundi'etl

ig that they

le preceding
,refully con-
motions of
avini!; extin-
and crossed
ibarked, and
rried it into
scarcely fifty
iden.

faction, they

ion tliey ad-

.iltier's heart

lit evidently

the camp, Ganlticr left his place of concealment and
followed the footsteps of the savages, taking care to
keep out of their sight. This was not difficult, for the
Indians only apprehended discovery from the front, to
which point, thei'cfore, they directed all their attention.
In this manner he dogged them, until, finding them-
selves approaching the camp, M'ith the position of
which they were evidently well acquainted, they
skulked with increasiner caution from bush to bush
and from tree to tree, finally reaching tlie verge of the
open space in wdiich, and close by the river, the camp
had hcen placed.

From the position he occupied, Gaulticr could see
that old Jake w^as standing by the verge of the water,
and was evidently engaged in fishing, as every now
and then he pulled out his line and seemed to be de-
tachino- a fish from the hook.

Gaul tier was now at a great loss how to act. On
the one hand, he had little doubt of the murderous in-
tentions of the Indians ; while, on the other hand, he
could not bring himself to fire at them until justified
by some overt act upon their part ; and in the mean-
time delay might be fatal to old Jake.

While thus uncertain how to act, it occurred to liim
to put the old hunter on his guard by a signal which
tliey had often used, and with which they were familiar.
This was the imitation of the note of the whip-poor-will,
(i^ummnaissa, whose plaintive voice had, during the
twilight, proceeded from the woods at frequent intervals.

(7SC)

228

A WARNING NOTE.

With some misgivings, lest his skill should fail to
deceive the quick ears of the savages or to arouse ohl
Jake's vigilance, Gaiiltier produced the well -known
note. At first neither the lurking Indians nor jiis
veteran comrade appeared to notice the sounds ; hut
upon their repetition, Jake glanced quickly to the spot
where Gaultier was concealed; and there apparently
ended the interest the sounds had excited.

Presently, however, and as if in the prosecution nf
his sport, the old trapper gradually moved furtlii'i'
away, until he reached some stunted Ijushes which
almost dipped their branches in the river. Beliiiid
these he seated himself, and from the shelter tlii'v
afforded he scrutinized closely the verge of the woods
where the savages prowled.

From the position which Gaultier occupied he com-
manded a view of the Indians and also of the hiisli
behind which Jake lay hidden ; and as the former had
their eyes fixed in the direction of the old hunter,
Gaultier was thus enabled to make signals unobserved
by them, and which Jake had no difficulty in inter-
preting. Stooping, to intimate caution, and tlirowiiii;'
forward his rifle as if to fire at some object in tlie open,
Gaultier pointed frequently in the direction of the Red-
skins.

These signs were immediately understood ly old
Jake, who at once resolved upon his line of action.
With his customary caution, he had not separated him-
self from his rifle : with this in his hand he feared

A NAUnoW ESCAPE.

220

neitlicr beast nor Indian. The old hunter's plan was
simply to throw liimself at ease upon the river
bcank, and thus to invite a further advance of his
treacherous foes. Thus, when they were once in the
open, he could deal with one, while Gaultier attacked
the other.

This strattisrem had the desired effect. No sooner
did the lurking savages see the trapper throw himself
upon the ground with his back towards them, than
with stealthy steps they crept swiftly towards him,
their rifles thrown forward, cocked and ready. Gaul-
tier's excitement was now intense. He could no longer
delay his interference without great danger to his com-
rade. He therefore raised his rifle, and with a steady
aim at the foremost Indian, pressed the trigger. At
the report, the savage plunged forward on his face,
stone-dead; and before his companion could realize
what had occurred, old Jake sprang to his feet, and
with a well-directed bullet from Plumcentre stretched
him lifeless on the ground.

Gaultier ran forward to the spot and joined the old
hunter in examining: the bodies.

" This is the very coon kem last night an' wasted my
powder," sa'd Jake. " I'd swar to his ugly pictur any-
wheres. I guess he didn't think he wur bringin' this
child powder o' purpose to shoot himself. No ! that
he didn't. Only fur yer seein' the skunks, lad," he
continued, "they'd 'a throwed me whur I w^ur fishin' ;
that's likely enuff, I allow."

■y \

ii^ \

ill-

2:30

Q UITE PRO VI D ENTIA L.

" You sec, Jake," said Gaiiltior, " ifc was Providciioc
tlmt took cave of us. Wc ^hvq the Indian all the meat
we had left last night, and that obli^^ccl us to go itut
this morning to hunt for a breakfast. Only for tlmt,
we might not have known till too late that these sava'-'cs

CD Q

were prowling about us."

"Twur queer they didn't notice yer pi[)in' like the
whip-poor-will," replied Jake. " At fust I didn't saw-
but it wur the bird itself, till I tuck the idee that it
didn't pipe so late in the mornin'. 'Twur that as
fetched me; an' wdien I'd got the trail, T seed at a
glimp whur it led."

" We had better get rid of the bodies," said Gaultier.
" I vote we throw them into the river, and lot tlieia
float off. It will be easier than burying them."

" I says with you, boss," answered Jake. " I don't
feel overly inclinated to take much trouble with the
skunks ; so — hyur goes ! "*

At the word, the old hunter dragged one of the bodies
to the brink of the river, and dropped it into the deep
current, where it disappeared with a sullen splash. He
then assisted Gaultier to dispose of the remaining savage.

Just as they had accomplished this, they were joined
by Pierre, who issued from the forest laden with the
choicest portions of a fin^ buck.

" What was that you were throwing into the river,
Jake ?" he asked as he approached. "I thou ^ht it looked
something like a man ; but, of course, it cannot have
been that."

anKA T ASTOiVIS/fMEXT.

2;u

I'ovidciioo

the meat

to u'o ;>ut

• for U'.at,

se savagt's

ii' like tliu
idn't savv
lee that it
iir that as
soctl at a

id Gaultiev.
id let them

"I don't
le with the

the bodies

to the deep

splash. He

minrr savage.

were joined

en witb the

to the river,
rht it looked
cannot have

"Twur sonicthin' like tliat, sure ciiou,l;1i," ropliud
Jake, "seein' it wiir an Injun — two o' theni at that.
The varmints thouglit to make a raise ; l>ut I ifuess they
liad updiill customers to run 'd<j;\n. They difhi't make
iiiucli o' tlie spec'lation. No ; that they didn't."

"What does lie mean, faultier:'" exclaime<l Pierre;
"surely you haven't killed two Indians during my ub-
seiico f

Gaultier explained all that had taken place, to Pierre s
great astonishment.

" I guess," said Jake, " them varmints 'ud hev wham-
melled nre over ef Gaultier hedn't seed 'em when he
did. I'd a-knowed nothin' o' the bisness till thur bul-
lets streaked it through my old brain-box. That's sar-
taiii .sure."

" Well," said Gaultier, " I think we've w^aited break-
fast long enough, and I vote we just leave these savages
where they are, and tackle Pierre's venison ribs."

The hunters accordingly replenished the camp-fire,
and in a few minutes the best morsels of the deer were
sputtering ovei' the coals, wdiile the large kettle bubbled
and hissed, diffusing an aromatic odourof cafenolr, wdiich
smelt gratefully in the nostrils of the hungry party.

While engaged with their meal they fought their
battle over aixain for Pierre's benefit, and the latter
communicated in return an adventure wdiich befell him
in pursuit of the deer wdiose ribs all three were so
keenly enjoying.

1', f

■•i I

:: 1

r ',',

CHAPTER XVI.

liRII'IM

I'Ieuke'h narrative of hih morninu's adventure— a MTKANUE (UY— Tin:

CANADA rORCL'l'INE AND THE LYNX— PIERRE MHOOIS A UUUK— UI.I) JAKK.i
SCRUl'LES— SUl'ERSTniON OK BACKWOODSMEN KEOARDINO TIIK WlUl'-lOiin-
WILL— PIBRRE'8 ACCOUNT OF THE WUIP-POOR-WILL— INDIAN BKLIEF As Tu
ITS ORIGIN— A SALT LICK— JAKE'S FIRE-STICK— A NUlIlT AT THE LI( K— A
WOLVERINE— A " PAINTEU"— DEATH OF A WULVElll NK — I'IKlUtE SHOOTS A
DEER— RETURN TO THE HUT.

" When I left Ihe camp," he began, " I struck out
straight from the river. You may be sure I kept my
bearings well as I proceeded, knowing how dangerous
it would be to get lost in these trackless forests. I had
some hopes of falling in wdth a deer before very long,
as I noticed that their tracks were plentiful in every
soft spot ; and, indeed, I once or twice started the ani-
mals themselves in the young spruce thickets, but the
cover was so dense that I could not see ten yards
ahead ; and although I heard the creatures bound
away, I could not even get a glimpse of them.

" Still, it was encouraj^inof to find that there was no
scarcity of game in the neighbourhood. Full of hope,
I held on, keeping a sharp look-out down every vista
that opened out among the tree trunks, I was not
very particular as to wdiat kind of game I brought

A sriiANUE CRY.

2:i3

back, provided it was sufficiently l.'irgo to afTord us all
a full meal ; and 1 therefore kept an eye out for porcu-
pine sign as well, inl: nding to return straight away if
I knocked over one of these fellows. I hadn't gone
more than a mile when I thought I heard a child cry
a little distance to my right; and you may be sure that
I felt rather startled, well knowing that in all likeli-
hood there was not a child within iifty miles in any
direction.

"Presently the noise was repeated ; and, full of curi-
osity, I immediately proceeded in the direction from
which it seemed to come. I advanced very cautiously,
keeping myself well concealed, and I frequently stopped
to listen for a repetition of the strange cry.

"I soon arrived at the edg-o of a little ^-lade which
had evidently been cleared in the woods by some ter-
rible storm long ago, as the trees were lying over it,
but so moss-grown and decayed that they crumbled
beneath the foot. Some young pine-trees had grown
up through the entangled trunks, and I soon discovered
that the creature which made the noise I had heard was
concealed behind these.

" I was about to move forward, Mdien I observed that
another animal liad appeared upon the scene ; and, strange
to say, it seemed to be attracted by the cries which at
intervals proceeded from behind the cover of the pines.
The new-comer was no other than the Canada lynx ;
and I guessed by his slouching gait that he was as in-
terested as I was myself in ascertaining what kind of

234

THE PORCUPINE AND THE LYNX.

beast had uttered the cries which Imd drawn my atten-
tion.

" I would have been glad to add the lynx to my ])an\
but I feared to fire lest the shot should disturb tlio
neighbourhood. I therefore kept myself well liiddou
from the sharp-eyed beast, and permitted hiiii to get
somewhat in advance. Tiiis precaution was not tlirowii
away ; for in a few moments he had scraml)lt'd over tlic
prostrate trees, and 1 could see him arching hiniself to
spring. In an instant he had disappeared, and I could
luu. ;■ battling with some aniinal on the other side
of the wind-row. Hastily climbing over the encum-
bered ground, I soon got a view of the contest.

" The creature whose strange cries had at tirst at-
tracted me was the Canadian porcupine ; and it iiuw
occurred to me that here was the opportunity for pro-
viding a stew in case nothing better turned up. I was
about to sight at the ' fretful ' one, wdien I retlected tliat
I might just as well allow the lynx to deal with him,
and reserve my shot for the latter when he had
despatched his victim. This was, however, no easy
task. The porcupine presented his phalanx of spines
to every assault of his adversary, whose jaws soon
showed signs of the severity of the encounter. Blood
dropped fast from his mouth, while many of the quills
had become detached from the porcupine, and penetrat-
ing the lynx's flesh, projected like whiskers from round
the sides of his mouth.

" For a little while the issue of the contest seemed

'§

A BUCK SECURED.

235

my atton-

to iny liag,
ii.sturb til'.'
'cU hul»k'U
liiiu to L;t.'t
not tlii'owu

ij(l OVCl' tlu'

liiiuselt' to
[ind I could
B other side
the encum-
ust.

at iir.st at-
and it now
ity for pro-
iip. 1 ^vas
^tlected that
1 with him,
n he had
er, no easy
X of spines
jaws soon
iter. h)lood
)f the quills
id pcnetrat-
froni round

itesb seemed

uncertain ; but the lynx, by a dexterous nianncuvro,
turned the porcupine over on his back, and in an instant
the tierce beast's jaw was buried in the defenceless
animal's stomach. Tlie battle was now soon ended ;
and, seeing this, I drew a steady bead on the lynx, and
at the report he rolled over as dead as a (h)or-nail.

"Iliad liardly observed the result of the shot, when,
to my amazement, a tine buck, which had lain hidden
near the spot, sprang to his feet and was bounding off',
when, by a very lucky chance, I knocked him over.
He got on his legs, however, in a moment, and would
have made good his escape if I hadn't put another ball
into him. I left the lynx and the porcupine where
they fell, and butchered the deer, as I Icnew how hungry
you would feel, and made haste back to camp. So there
you have my morning's adventures."

" They were more pleasant as well as more profitable
than ours," remarked Gaultier. " What do you think,
Jake?"

" Wal, I dunno," answered the old lumter. " Once
nn a time this child wa'n't troubled much wi' shootin'
Injuns ; but since I got Christianized last year at the
mission, I feels as ef I did somethin' that wa'n't edzactly
light whenever I throws one o' the critturs. I s'pose
it's all s(|uar' this mornin', seein' as we wur actin' in
^elf-defence ; but somehow I'd rayther all the same that
the thing hadn't took place."
"That is a perfectly natural feeling," said Pierre,
uikI I feel similarly myself. I am surprised, however,"

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236

BACKWOODSMEN'S SUPERSTITION.

he continued, " that the savages did not notice tlie
whip-poor-will's untimely notes ; the bird is not usually
to be heard so late in the morning."

" I guess that dizn't signify much," observed old Jake
" Ef they hed obsarved the crittur's pipe, I reck in Gaul-
tier 'ud hev throwed one o' the varmints, an' I'd liev
tackled t'other'n all the same."

" The whip-poor-will," said Gaultier, " is supposLMi l»y
many to be a bird of ill omen. I know the scttlevs
say that if one of them perches on the wood pile, nr
anywhere near the house, it portends the death of uiir
of the family very shortly. Those Indians, anyliow,"'
he continued laujxhinix, " micfht have some reason for
recjardinof the creatures as of evil omen."

''Wao-h!" exclaimed Jake, "this coon don't blcevc
the leetle crittur purtends to be anything else tlian
what he seems to be. Man an' boy, I've been listeiiiii'
to his pipin' these tifty years, an' I never got hurt or
harm by it, though I've often enutf seed a hull family
o' 'em, as I may say, rollin' 'emselves in the ash-licap
'ithin ten yards o' my old cabin-door. It's jest like
them settlers to fix a lie on the leetle varmint. Tliur
allers tellin' lies, or cuttin' down the trees, or scariu'
away the game."

" Pierre, have you any notes in jour red book on this|
interesting bird ?" asked Gaultier.

The young hunter replied in the affirmative; andl
while Jake prepared himself to enjoy a good " chaw
of " James's River," the book was produced from aiiion^J

THE WHIP.rOOR-WILL.

237

tlic stores, and Pierre read the following notes for the
gratification of his companions.

" Lawson," Pierre began, " speaking of this bird, says :
' It is so named — whip-poor-will — because it makes
those words exactly. They are the bignr^^s of a thrush,
and call their note under a bush, on the ground, hard
to be seen, though you hear tiieni never so plain.'
Ordinarily, towards the close of Aj)ril or in the first
week of May, the whip-poor-will arrives in his migra-
tion to the middle States. It is remarkable that on
tlie eastern sea-board this bird seems to fix his northern
limit about latitude 43° or 44°, while in the interior he
pushes his adventurous way many degrees further
north. The well-known writer Nuttall "^ays : ' In all
this vast intermediate space' (between ^S'atchez, on the
Mississippi, and British America) ' they familiarly breed
and take up their residence. About the same time
that the sweetly-echoing voice of the cuckoo is heard
in the north of Europe issuing from the leafy groves,
as the sure harbinger of the flowery month of May,
arrives among us i. . the shades of night the mysterious
whip-poor-will.'

" I am surprised that the traveller Richardson should
have fixed the limit of northern migration of the whip-
poor-will at the 50th parallel, when, in fact, it is fre-
quently heard at points much farther north. The
trutli is that much depends on circumstances — such as
the weather, or the individual propensities of particular
hirds. And so we see that multitudes of wild-fowl

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238

THE WHIP POOR. WILL.

'illi>i''i^

breed in the lakes and marshes in all this country
while myriads more continue their Higlit to the wast
wildernesses that lie along the shores of the northern
sea.

" It is worthy of notice that the whip-poor-will sccnis
to prefer those woodlands which occupy elevated sitiia-
tiojis, seldom being heard in low swampy districts.
The ' Barrens' of Kentucky are much frequented hv
this bird, whose somewhat plaintive notes resound
from among the pines in every direction. Clayton
says : ' Their cry is pretty much like the sound of the
pronunciation of the words "whip-poor-will," with a
kind of clucking noise between every other, or every
two or three cries ; and they lay the accent very stronif
upon the last word, vjiU, and least of all upon the niiddle
one.

" ' The Indians say these birds were never known till
a great massacre was made of their country-folks by
the English, and that they are the souls or departed
spirits of the massacred Indians. Abundance of people
look upon them as birds of ill omen, and are very
melancholy if one of them happens to light on their
house or near their door, and set up their cry (as they
will sometimes do upon the very threshold) ; for they
verily believe one of the family Avill die very soon
after.'

"As you have, of course, over and over again re-
marked, the whip-poor-will utters his note until mid-
night, except on bright moonlight nights. He then

CURIOSITY EXCITED.

230

ceases until again awakened at the approach of twilight.
The day is passed in the most .secluded parts of the
forests. But although thus retiring in its habits, it will
emerge from its retreat a little before dusk, and Hy
about the clearings made by the settlers in the woods,
probably in search of the ash-heaps left there from the
burning of the logs. In these the whip-poor-will loves
to roll, scattering the ashes about and fluttering pretty
much as our domestic fowls do under similar circum-
stances."

Here Pierre concluded his account of the whip-poor-
will. Jake remarked that his own experience of the
bird confirmed the young naturalist's statements —
"though 'tain't aliens," he continued, " as them fellurs
as writes books a^rrees with this coon's idees."

" I forgot to tell you," said Pierre, " of a discovery I
made just after I shot the deer. I came upon a game-
path so well trodden that I determined to follow it for
a short distance. As it did not lead towards the river,
I felt curious to ascertain what was the attraction
which led so many animals in this direction. I there-
fore followed it up, and shortly saw before me at a
little distance a clayey bank which seemed to block up
the track completely. This was indeed the case, for
here the path terminated. The sides of the bank were
well worn, and were pitted with many little cavities,
while the ground was trodden almost knee-deep in soft
mud, in which small pools of stagnant water had col-
lected. I knew at once what had led the game to the

III I

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240

A SALT LICK.

spot. The place was, in fact, a Salt Lick — one of tliose
provisions which Nature has made for the benefit of tlie
animal creation, in localities so far removed from the
influence of the ocean that no saline matter can l»e
accumulated in the air."

"I dunno what them things ur," interrupted Jake;
" but ef ye hev found a Salt Lick, I reckin we'll wnlk
into the deer fast onutf. They'll come thur in shoals
to lick the airth, an' I guess we'll make 'em smell thun-
der considerable. That we will."

"There was one circumstance that struck nio very
much," continued Pierre. " The animals seem often to
die after their indulgence in licking, for there were a
great many skeletons lying about the spot."

"Don't ee go to bleeve any sich thing," said Jake.
" I hev seed Salt Licks in plenty, an' I niver knew the
critturs to die o' lickin' their till. You bet tliis coon
will figure it out arter hevin' a squint) at the location."

" Well," said Gaultier, who had liistened with much
interest to Pierre's account of his discovery, "as we
seem to have eaten enough, I vote we go and have a
look at Pierre's Lick. How far is it ?"

" Not more than an hour's walk from here," replied
Pierre.

The trappers accordingly took their rifles, and under
Pierre's guidance set out for the Salt Lick. As they
walked along, Jake suddenly asked at what time the
moon had risen the previous night. The young men
were unable to tell.

JAKE'S FIRE-STICK.

241

" I jest wants to know," said tlie old hunter ; " fur ef
it's very latish — an' I kinder think it will — we'll hev
to try a dodge I used to practise back in old Massoura.
I hain't seed the right thing yet," he continued, casting
liis eyes keenly round among the trees. " Most o'
the tiinmer hyur is young. — I guess I've jest sighted
it, sure enuff," he exclaimc<l, moving off from the
young men, who gazed after him with considerable
curiosity.

A huge old tree lay prostrate at some distance, its
venerable trunk inwreathed with climbing parasites,
which had shared its fall, or had grown up over it and
served it as a shroud. Towards this Jake directed his
steps. With his hatchet he soon knocked away the
hixuriant covering, and with his hands removed some
of the decayed wood.

"I reckin," he said to himself, " this'll jest do;" and
carrying a handful of the rotten wood, he rejoined his
comrades.

"Now, boyees," said he, "ef ye'll take my advice,
ve'U o;ive the Salt Lick a wide berth till torst evenin'.
The dcer'll then be on the move, an' we'll get a grist o'
them, I'll allow, by caching near the Lick. 'Tain't o'
no use to go thur now."

After a little consideration, both Pierre and Gaultier
agreed that their wisest course would be io follow the
trapper's advice. They therefore retraced their steps
towards the camp, where they arrived, having seen
neither bird nor beast by the way.

'k-.

';'! i;

242

AN ORNITHOLOGICAL DISTINCTION.

" Wli.at liavo you got tlic rotten wood for, Jak(.'?"
asked Gaul tier.

" I reckin ec'U sec by-an'-hy," replied the old fellow.
"It's a smart cnuff trick, an' mebbe yc'll find it useful
some other time."

As nothing more could be extracted from liiiu on tlic
subject, the young men wliiled away the time as licst
they could until the lengthening shadows amioiincrd
the approach of simset.

" 1 guess it's about time to make tracks," said Jake.
"The niii'ht-hawks are skimmin' about, an' thm's leetle
more'n an hour till dark arter they kims out."

The young men, on looking upwards, observo(l scverai
birds, much like the common swift in appearance, l>ut
much larger, flying with a winnowing motion round the
clearing, uttering at frequent intervals a rapid, abrupt
note, resembling the words " ivitta-witta-vj'tt.'' These
were the Caprhniilgus Americanus of Wilson and Au-
dubon, a kind of goat-sucker, known variously among
the settlers and backwoodsmen as mosquito -hawks and
night-hawks. In flying, they may easily be mistaken
by a casual observer for the common swallow ; but on
a close observation a white spot will be remarked on
each wing, while their mode of flight differs slightly
from the latter, the goat-sucker leaning more to one
side, while its tail and wings are much longer than
those of the swallow.

While Pierre and Gaultier followed with their eyes
the swift movement of the night-hawks, making some

EVENING IN THE WOODS.

243

such obscrvcations as wo liavo jjjivon above, old Jake
rose from his lair by the tire, and unsheathing his
shining bowie-knife, cut a long straight sapling, which
he trinuued of its branches, and split at one end length-
wise for some ten or twelve inches. Having effected
this to his satisfaction, the old fellow picked up Plum-
centre, and slinging that redoubtable weapon to the
hunter's "carry," he called to the young men, —

"Drop yer star-gazin' thur, an' step out fur the Lick.
I reckin 'twill be as dark as the inside of a tar-tub
afore we gits thur."

Seizing their riries, the lads accompanied the veteran,
Pierre leading the way as guide. The sun was swiftly
declining towards the horizon, and had already fallen
liehind the forest, through the myriad vistas of which
he shot his beams in sheaves of gold. Here and there
.a silver birch upon some elevation caught the rays upon
its shining stem, and shimmered far through the woods;
but more often the topmost boughs of the trees alone
were lighted up with the glorious reflection of the
west, which gradually deepened till the sunnnit of the
forest seemed bathed in carmine. This faded slowly
away, and gloom at once seemed to spring forward
towards our hunters from among the recesses of the
woods. Outside the tree tops a gray twilight gradually
prevailed over the lingering daylight, while beneath
their tenebrous boughs all was sombre and mys-
terious.

Pierre and Gaultier, who, as we observed when first

(78(1) 1 (5

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244

ArPPOACHTNG TUE SALT Llfh'.

\VG picsoiihod tlieni to tlio rc.id'^i",* loved Xatiiro with
a deep devotion, dmnk in the boanties of tlio sccno witli
ardent pleasure. Jake, however, M'ho sccukmI caso-
hardencd acfainst such inllucnces, plodded alonii' rcwd-
less of anglit save keeping his nioccasined feet from
rouffh contact with snajx or root.

Tlius through the darkening forest the thiv i traiipers
advanced swiftly and silently towards the Salt Lick.
As they approached the spot several grayish forms i]i>-
appearcd in the gloom with such swiftness that it
seemed doubtful if, in the uncertain light, they wire
not the creations ol; fancy. The distant snapping of a
twig, however, proclaimed the reality of these fleeting
phantoms.

" T guess we've skeered a cupple o' the critturs," said
Jake ; " but there's a plenty more o' 'em in the woods."

The hunters now cast an eye round for a suitahle
ambush from which to tire on the deer, and Gaultioi-
soon discovered a recess in a rocky bank well scrceneil
in front by some thick bushes. Jake pronounced tlii-
to be exactly what was required. Opposite this spot|
the sides of the Lick rose perpendicularly to the heiulit
of some six or eiidit feet. Acrainst the face of tliis liank
old Jake planted the sapling to which we have alluded,!
and taking from his " possible-sack " some shining snli-|
stance which gliunnered with phosphoric light, he placedj
it in the cleft of the stick at about the height of a deer'sj
shoulder from the ground.

* ride " The Three Trappers." T. Xel«ui) and Snnn, Edinburgli.

A CURIOUS rilKCAUTlON.

245

"Now, young felluvs," said lio, "d'yor see tliat huncli
o' rotten wood? I calc'late no dcer'H pass atwccn it
an' 1110 'itlioiit old Pluiiioontro liovin' a word to say to
liini. Wlien tlio cvittiir gets atwcen me an' tliat sliinin'
stuff lic'll liido it, and at that I pulls the trigger."

The use of tliis precaution, which elicited the ndmira-
tion of Pieri'e and Uaultier, was rendered necessary, as
t'Taduallv a thick darkness settled down anionic the tree
trunks, and all ol)j(!cts were enveloped in the glooin.

"I don't expect to see more'n a cupple o' deer or so,
artcr all, until the moon rises," said Jake ; " but I
leckin' the trouble o' stickin' up that bit o' shinin' stuff
aint much, an' it mout git us a shot or two."

Pierre and Gaultier were of course aware that the
moon exerts an influence on the deer, which graze while
it shines, and couch when it sets. They kept their eyes
and oars on the alert, although the impervious gloom
rendered the former of little use. Nestled in their am-
bush, the hunters Avaited for a considerable time, with
thoir eyes fixed upon the phosphorescent gleam of the
ilocayed wood, in expectation of game ; but in vain.
Not a sound disturbed the quiet of the forest save the
sigh of the passing breeze. An hour passed, and then
another hour, without a siixn of life in that vast wilder-
110SS. The air was warm and balmy, and the lairs
which the hunters had made were soft and comfortable.
An irrepressible drowsiness overpowered them, and
despite their efforts to resist it, they at length suc-
cumbed to its influence, and sank into a profound repose.

I 1

24(J

AN APPALLINU SOUND.

Tlio ckop (larknuss wliich had onshrouded tlio woods
was at l(ini,^t]i slowly retrcatini; Iteforo the silver arrows
of tlic moon, when the party were suddenly sturtKil
from their slundjers hy a shriek so dreadful and so iirar
that it seemed as if wrung from some tenant of the
infernal world wlu had visited the upper air. With
strainin*,' ears the hunters listened for a repetiti(jn of
the horrid cry. Again it rang through the woods,
sending the blood curdling through the veins of thu
young men, so weirdly wild was the appalling sound.
Jake, however, exclaimed, —

" The thing ur a ' painter,' arter all ! I guess I thort I
wur a-drcamin', an' heerd the war-cry o' the Apaches.
I heerd it once on a time, an' I liope I never will
agin. Six o' the best mouniainy men that ever piill(Ml
a trigger went under at that time, an' this coon only
saved hisself by hidin' inside o' a buffler carkidi,'i'.
Ye-es, boyees, the savages cut steaks off that bull,
not knowin' who wur inside him. 'Twur lucky for
this child that the buffler vvur tough chawin', an' that
thur wur a sight o' young cow meat around. Only fur
that, you bet they'd soon hev let daylight in on Jake
Haw ken."

Pierre and Gaultier listened with anuisenient to the
garrulous old hunter, wdio never seemed so happy as,
wdien recounting his adventures to an attentive au-
dience. The " painter" seemed to have got the wind utj
the party, for the screams suddenly ceased, an<l wluiij
they .vere again repeated it was at a considerable distant

ill the
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"Jt

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MVe

unless

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^'arniint

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The n

A sTiiAXnK rjih'rh'iujxci:.

247

"Tlif only tliiiiLT that- kin liold niunii a ' painter ' for an
iK'ly scnH'cli," said Jake, "is a bar at tlic matin' scasdn.
I ;fU('ss I'vu hcerd somo iinnpu.s in my time, l)ut them
varmints licat all creation."

"I like to hear the voices of wild nature," saiil
Y'wnv. " The screanis of that cou;^Mr now are more to
my mind than the scjualls of a woman at a piano, with
a lot of fellows about her who liave no moi-e eye for a
vitlc or a trail than a turkey buzzard."

"Wal," said Jake, " I don't know nnich o' peeanies,
scoiii' as thur ain't sich thinij^s in the M'oods or perairas ;
liiit I hold wi' yer about the idee o' the thiiii;- all the
<;uiii'. This child wur born fret; as air, lie has lived
live as air, an' he'll die free as air, whur thnr ain't a
sight o' men's houses nor laws. I kin liear that back
ill the States a man can't kill a deer when lie likes, nor
twn yt't a peraira chicken. I kin hardly give in to
that, though."

"It is (piite true, Jake," said Oaultier. "I was once
tilled myself for shooting a deer ' out of season,' as they
call it."

"Well," said Pierre, "where people are numerous,
unless some law is made to preserve the game, there
wouldn't be a deer or a chick to shoot in a few years."

" I guess," said Jake, " I'd rather pass laws to keep
'lown the number of the settlers. Half-a-dozen o' them
varmints is cnnff for a county ; an' I'd sooner meet a
bar any day than one o' them. That's a fact."

The moon now ascended above the forest, and threw

'(■;

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il *

248

''KEEP YER PEEPERfi SHININ':'

a clicckered light upon the .spot where the hiiiitL'rs
expected to see the deer.

" Your tire-stick has not been of any use after all,
Jake," whispered Pierre ; " and there is light cnuui^li
nov,- to shoot, if there were anything to fire at."

"It's all-fired queer none o' the varmints hev knn,"
answered Jake ; " but the thing mout ha' buen o' ii.sc
for all that. — What'n thunder's that ?" he exchiiiiied, as
a noise like falling shingle reached tlieir ears.

'.lie three hunters listened attentively, and in tlic
deep stillness they distinctly heard a scratching seiiiul,
which seemed to proceed from the summit of the bank
oi^posite their place of concealment.

Presently this ceased, and all was as quiet as before.

"I wonder what it cr.n be?" Mdiispered Gaulticr.
" Can you guess, Jake ?"

" I hain't edzactly hit upon it yit," answered the old
hunter ; " but I hev an idee. — Where around did vou
see all them bones, Pierre ?"

" Just over there," replied Pierre. " Some were on
the top of the bank, and the rest were scattered about
close by the bottom."

"Then 'tis jest as I thort," said the old trapper.
" Boyees, keep yer peepers shinin', an' make raggles
o' whatever moves on top o' that bank. It's a car-
cajou's cached up there, waitin' for the deer. Kin verj
spot the skunk ?"

Both Pierre and Gaultier strained their eyes, aii'li
keenly scrutinized every uncertain appearance wliitl',J

A WOLVERINE IN SIGHT.

210

under the deceptive iiiUiieiice of light and shadow,
assuiucd a likeness to the body of an animal. But in
vain.

" Wal, fellurs," cliuckled Jake, " I'd take my eyes to
town for repairs, ef I wur ye. This old coon can't see
as he used to could, but he sees that rotted carcajou as
plain as Chinibly Hock. Look agin."

Li obedience to this mandate, the young men again
cast their eyes over everything in the neighbourhood —
on the ground, on the face of the bluff, on the summit ;
but no carcajou could they see.

"Wal, yer orter be ashamed o' yerselves to be beat
at scein' by one as old as I am. Look at that big limb,"
he continued, " comin' right out torst us. D'yer see
any tiling roostin' up thur?"

The young hunters started, as they followed their
companion's direction, and saw, stretched upon a branch
wliicli crossed an open space among the foliage, the
sturdy hunched figure of a wolverine plainly relieved
against the sky. The distance was about forty yards ;
and notwithstanding that the wind, such as there was,
hknv towards them, and that their conversation had
been carried on in the lowest whispers, the wary beast
seemed to have suspected the pres'^nce of danger. They
could see him casting his inquisitive glances from side
to side ; and he occasionally snuffed the breeze with the
air of a connoisseur, as if to detect the taint of hidden
foes.

Apparently he satisfied himself that his suspicions

I'll;' ■' '

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250

SHOT DEAD.

were well founded, for he suddenly rose from liis
couchant position, and commenced to descend the slop-
ing branch.

Before he Iiad gained the tree trunk, three reports
startled the echoes ; and leaping high from the hraiicli,
the wolverine turned a complete somersault, and fell
heavily to the earth. The hunters leaped from tliuir
ambush, and while the carcass still writhed and twitclicd
convulsively in the throes of death, old Jake unsheatlii'd
his hunting-knife and commenced to deprive the car-
cajou of its shaggy hide.

This operation was soon performed, and bearinir the
trophy along with them, the three hunters left the Lick
and returned to the camp by the river. On the way,
while crossing a small glade, several deer were observed
flying towards the woods at the farther side. Levellin;^
his rifle at the last, Pierre took a quick aim and pulled
the triofofer. Before he coidd see the result throni:>-h the
smoke, old Jake called out,—

" Jehoshaphat ! that iin's throwed clur. Well done,
young fellur ! I reckin it's a hunderd an' fifty yards at
least. That's the way to make 'em come."

The hunters soon stood over the prostrate animal,
which was making frantic but vain efforts to rise. Jake
drew his knife across its throat, and wiped the drip-
ping blade with great nonchalance on his buckskin
breeches.

" I reckin we'll have a chaw at oncest noAV," he ob-
served ; "but let us hoof it slick away to the camp."

THL CAMP AT MIDNKiHT.

251

j,ach shouldered his share of tlie venison, and stag-
jeering along the uncertain paths, the hunters soon
traversed the distance which divided them from the
Athabasca, whose glittering waters they presently
doscriod through the opening branches ahead. As
they ap})roached the camp, two wolves dashed into
view from under the shadow of the hut, and disap-
peared in the forest.

"Wagh," exclaimed Jake, " ef I'd a knowed them
v.armints wur thur, I'd a let Plumcentrc into 'em. That's
sartin."

A fire soon blazed in front of the liut, and its ruddy
glow diffused a cheerful air around the spot. The
moonlight, by contrast, seemed ghastly, wan, and cold ;
the midnijxht breeze stirred the surface of the river ;
the wild howl of wolves resounded through tlie forest;
and that instinctive perception wl ich tells the watcher
that midnight has arrived, was felt by our trappers.
After supper they replenished the fire, and then lay
down in the doorway of the hut, where they soon sank
into unconsciousness.

fi!;!

I,'

WK^

CHAPTER XVII.

DlSArPEARANCE OF THE HAFT — JAKE'h OI'INION — SEAUCII FOR TIIi; liAlT —
ITS FAILUKE— JAKE CONTINUES THE SEAliJH ALONIi— JIO0M.IHIH' WALK -
THltEE INDIANS— THE RAFT DISCOVEUED— THE CHEEK INDIANS roi,E TllK

RAFT PAST Jake's ambush — a rifle shot— jake's escape— the Indians

ATTEMPT TO SURPRISE THE HUNTER — JAKE GAINS THE RAFT— DEATH or
ONE INDIAN— RETURN OF THE OTHERS — JAKE SHOOTS lioril AT ONK SlluT.

When the hunters awoke on the followini"- morning
the raft had disappeared ! It was Gaultier who made
this discovery, and he immediately alarmed his com-
rades. They had left all their stores, with the excep-
tion of a few necessaries, on the raft, as had hecn their
usual practice whenever the night promised to he suffi-
ciently line to warrant their doing so. Gaultier imme-
diately proceeded to the tree to which the thong thcat
held the raft had been attached. A short examination
convinced him that the rope had been severed with a
knife.

" It's Injuns, I'm sartin sure, hev done it!" exclaimeil
old Jake ; " an' yer may stake high they've vermoosed
with all our plunder. This kerns o' not keepin' watdi
last night. Ef we'd only taken it in turns to keep a
look-out, we'd a seed the varmints at their thievin . '

" One thing is quite clear," said Pierre—" they niiL-t

THE LOST RAFT.

253

liave gone down stream with the raft. It' we are quick
wo may yet overtake them."

"Wagh!" exclaimed Jake ; "overtake last year's snow!
They hain't pulled up yit, you bet, nor ain't a-gwine to,
till they puts a hull day's travellin' atween thur kar-
kidgcs an' old Plumcentre hyur. I reckin we're afoot
now, an' no mistake, 'ithout eyther furs or food, seein'
as them thievin' vagabonds hev toted off all our lead an'
powder, 'ceptin' what we hev about us."

Old Jake, having given utterance to these opinions
in ca iiiciancholy tone, advanced towards the tree to
which the raft had been tethered, and from the stem of
wliicli still depended a portion of the thong. He ex-
amined the latter with eagerness for a few moments,
and then rising, he exclaimed, —

"Hurrah, boyees ! 'tain't Injrns neyther, arter all.
I mout 'a guessed it sooner ef I'd only looked fur nieself.
See," he continued, as both Pierre and Gaultier re-
joined him, " the strip o' hide ur cut clean enuff, I
allow; but d'yer see this hyur chawin'?" pointing to that
part of the rope which was hanging loose from the tree
stem. " I o'uess 'twur teeth as done it, wolf at that !
I calc'late, lads, we've wronged the Redskins this time,
an' we'll find our raft somewhere down stream."

This development of the affair Avas a great relief to
the party, and they accordingly lost no time in prose-
ciitino' their search for the niissin<x raft. But mile after
mile of river-bank was traversed, and still no traces of
it presented themselves. The trappers were much

t'li

jv 5 1

i'':i

254

A D I LI a E NT SEARCH.

puzzled, and even old Jake could not oti'er a pioliaMe
explanation of the mystery. The banks on either side
of the Athabasca had been keenly scrutinized, but witli-
out result ; and at length, after many hours of weary
M'alking, the hunters halted, hungry and utterly worn
out, without havinsf discovered the least clue to iruide
their further search.

" Queerest thing this coon seed yet," remarked Jake.
" The thing must be over water somewdieres, an' it'll bu
hard lines, but we'll find it."

"Do you think it possible, Jake," asked Gaultior,
" that the raft has gone up stream ? We have now-
searched at least fifteen miles from where we cainp('(l
last night, and it is very unlikely that in such a dis-
tance the raft would not have drifted acjainst either
bank and been retained somewhere."

" This child wur thinkin' o' that very sarcnmstance,"'
answered the old hunter ; " but how cud the thing go
up agin the river ? That's the difieeculty, I guess."

" It is quite out of the question," said Pierre, " that
the raft could have gone up-stream, barring Indians,
and Jake thinks Indians have had nothing to do with
its disappearance."

' Wal, I dunno; it cudn't hev gone up-stream
edzactly," answered the trapper, " an' I'll tell yer wliy.
When I fust sot up trappin', I hed as fine a canoe as
iver ye sot eyes on ; and one fine mornin' tliur wa'n t a
sign o' it to be seed, thousrh I searched the hull Willa-
mette valley fur thirty miles below whur I'd been

AN ODD STORY.

255

camped. Wal, I tuck an idee that prehaps the boat
hed been stolen by some Injuns as lived up-stream
some ten mile or thurabouts, an' so I jest streaked it
furthur diggin's. I hedn't med half a mile when what
shed I see clost in agin the bank but my canoe, 'ithout
a scratch or arey a bit missin' from it ! You bet but I
wur surprised ; an' more'n that, when I found out how
the thing hed happened. Ye see I hed left a kupple o'
nifrht-lines hancjin' overboard, an' a raal sockdollao-er o'
a fish hed put hisself outside o' one o' 'em ; an' findin'
hisself hitched by the innards, hed mizzled up-stream
drafffjin' the canoe behint him ! The boat wur tangled
in a lot o' drift- weed an' sich rubbish ; an' when I got
mto it, I felt something a-pullin' an' a-tuggin'. Sure
iniiff I wa'n't long in findin' out what wur the matter,
an a lump o' lead from my rifle turned up the white o'
as big a fish as I've laid eyes on since, though I've seed
a-many. Now, young fellurs," concluded Jake, "yer
a^esaboat, an' mebbe a raft, kin run up-stream now an'

agin

" We had no night-lines set, anyhow," said Pierre, " and
therefore we cannot hope anything from that source."

" No ; but thur wur deer-meat aboard," said Jake,
"an'thurwur a sight o' ropes, I'll allow. This coon
thinks it jest possible that a b'ar has hed somethin' to
say to the bisness."

"A bear, Jake!" exclaimed Gaultier ; "how could a
hear have had anything to do with the disappearance
of the raft?"

^ K ( .

' liJ!

■' ^:''!^i

ip 1

HI ,| ^

! li

;|..,-:i;.

256

QUITE DETERMINED.

"I don't say fur sure lie has," replied tlio trapper;
" but I won't 1)0 surprised cf we finds tliat a b'ar lias
sniffed the meat, an' jest walked on board an' i^ot
hitched in a noose in coniin' ashore. I guess the crit-
tur'd get frightened du' y hi) senses, an' findin' he
cudn't pull the raft a • > .s , '13 inout a-swum up-stream
a bit."

" I think that is in the last degree urdikely," saiil
Pierre ; " and for my part I won't take the trouble (jf
going back to the camp on such a slim chance."

" I agree with you, cousin," said Gaultier ; " the thini;-
is hardly possible, and is certainly not worth a walk of
fifteen miles."

" I'm a-gwine to walk back though," said Jake ; '• an"
ef ye'U wait hyur, I'll bet a plug o' baccaagin a load 0'
powder ye'll sec this niggur floatin' back to camp afore
night." So saying, the old trapper shouldert'd Plum-
centre p.nd disappeared in the direction of the camp of
the preceding night.

The young men smiled at the obstinate adherence to
his own opinion evinced by their veteran companion,
and as it was now waning towards evening, they set
about making their customary pre]3arations for encamp-
ing. We shall accompany Jake in his search. Tlie
first thing done by the old hunter was to scrutinize
closely the ground in the immediate vicinity of tlio,
tree to which the raft had been moored. The fading)
light — for it was now some time past sunset— sovvetl I
to show with sufficient distinctness several foot-marks

THE SEARCH RESUMED.

257

in tlio soft soil. Some of these were, of course, tliose
of liiinself and of liis comrades ; but tlicre were otliers
wliich were, from the in-toe and tlio make of the
moccasins, unmistakably those of Indians. Tlie hunter
was much surprised that these had escaped liis ob-
servation when the disappearance of the raft had at
first attracted attention ; but he accounted for this from
the circumstance of the gnawed strip of shanganappi
liaving suggested the idea of wolves being the perpe-
trators, which diverted his attent'^n from the tracks in
the soil.

"It's Injuns arter all," the old trapper muttered to
Iiimself, as with keen eye he scanned the darkening
bosom of the river and the sombre depths of the woods.

Havino: sfitisfied himself that the raft had been
removed by Indian agency, the wary hunter looked to
his rifle and pistols, and loosening his knife in its
sheath, he stole silently among the tree trunks and
directed his course up-stream.

He kept as near the river as he judged prudent, and
as he opened each new reach he searched with careful
eye the banks on both sides for the glare of a fire or
any indication of an encampment.

The twilight, however, soon yielded to the shades of
night; but still the indefatigable old man held on his
way.

He inferred from the foot-marks wdiich he had de-
tected that the Indians were probably few in number,
and that as the raft was heavy, they w^ould be unable to

268

A MOONLKllfT WALK.

pole it ai;ain.st the stream for any considerable distuiice.
The further therefore he advanced the more cautious
became his movements. Frequently he paused to
listen ; but nothing broke the silence of the shnubcriu"-
woods except the rush of the river past the banks, or
tln3 occasional sii^diing of the wind along the trot;
tops.

For several hours the old trapper continued his
search, following the sinuosities of the river, to which
he now approached closely, being concaled by the
dense shadow of the woods, which rendered him (juitc
invisible at the distance of even a few yards. He liad
therefore little apprehension of being observed, and
walked as quickly forward as the nature of the ground
would permit.

The first part of the night had jmssed, and now the
pale light of the moon stole from between the rifted
clouds, and gleamed on gray tree trunk and shinmieriui,^
river with ghostly whiteness, necessitadng greater care
on the part of the trapper in concealing himself from
the observation of any prowler in advance.

At the place where the hunter now found himself,
the trees receded somewhat from the water, and between
them and the stream lay a level space, encund>uriMl
here and there with piles of drift-timber or tlood-wrack
left by the subsidence of the river.

While Jake debated whether to venture across this
or to skirt it within the shelter of the timber, an Imliaii
suddenly appeared from behind a heap of drift-wood

■:h:. r

THE HAFT DfSroVERED.

2r)0

iuid advanced towards tlic river. Presently two otliers
followed, and joined liiiii at the water's edge.

At this instant the moon, MJiich had l»een wadini;-
through fleecy vapours, shone ont clearly, and enabled
the hunt(*r to observe that a raft lay moored by tlu^
lank. The distance which separated the trap[)er from
the party was scarcely one hnndred yards, and in tin;
Irilliant moonlight he had no diflicnlty in ri^coo-nizing
the raft, and even the piles of freight with which it
was loaded.

Jake's Hrst impulse was to attack the savages ; but
upon second thoughts he decided to postpone hostilities
for the present. While uncertain how to act, the
Indians, who had been conversing in low tones, stcppe<l
upon the raft, and picking up the sweeps, they pushed
out into the stream and connnenced poling upwards.

Crouching carefully out of view, the hunter left the
heacli, and having gained the woods, he kept pace with
the raft, which the savages impelled slowly and with
tlifficulty against the current.

^iidaenly Jake found his further advance intercepted
by the waters of a small stream or creek which joined
[ tlie Athabasca. The banks were high and clayey ; and
I the water, which flowed sluggishly, seemed deep and

impassable.
Much chagrined by this unexpected obstacle, the

hunter was about to make a detour in search of a

fordable spot, when glancing towards the raft he Avas

I surprised to observe that the Indians had pushed it
(:s6) 17

Mliu-l

2(10

A MORAL DIFFICULTY.

towards liim, and evidently meditated pc in*' it into
the nioutli of tlie creek.

Bendini,' out of si^dit beliind a elunip of Ijnisliwodil,
Jake could presently liear the o-ratini,' of tin; sw-tvps
ai^ainst the raft, and the rustling of the hranclu's wliich
it forced aside in its passage.

In a few moments the savages were abreast of liim
and immediately below him. With bated breath he
listened as the party passed, and cautiously risjiiL;' 1h'
could perceive the raft slowly driven up the iiaii'ow
creek by the three Indians, who each ap})Iied liis
strength to a long pole or oar which he pi unveil ai^aiiist
the bottom. The trees which grew on eitlnr luuik
closed their branches overhead, and completely over-
arched the stream, which here and there uiittereil as a
moonbeam fell through a chink in the foliage, and
elsewhere was black as ebony.

For a little time the trapper watched the rctreatini
raft ; and as it passed beneath the chinks in the folia^'
through which fell the silvery light of the moon, h
noted that the various articles of the freight, tli
bundles of furs and their other effects, were still intact,
and piled together in the centre.

Jake was now somewhat puzzled as to what conrs-
to pursue. In his old scalping days no difficulty woiil
have presented itself. The circumstances would liavi
afforded a perfect justification, in his eyes, for tli
immediate despatch of the Indians. But since he hai
become a convert to Christianity he had developtH

SUPERSTITIOUS AWE.

2ftl

wvs it into B conscience, and lio now felt the embarrassment conse-
ijuont upon tliis novel acquisition, lie ■was therefore
at a loss how to act. lie reflected that to expose his
presence to the Indians would bo danjjfcrous in the
liighest degree, and could lead to no good result, while,
on the other hand, he did not as yet feel justified in
solving the ditliculty with his riHe.

While the old hunter speculated thus, the raft had
rounded a sinuosity of the stream, and vanished from
liis eyes.

Cautiously advancing, Jake presently arrived at the
spot where a few moments previously he had beheld
tlie raft disappear. To his astonishment no trace either
of it or of the Indians was visible.

The old man cast a keen glance down the stream,
which at intervals was illumined by the moon, but in
vain. He listened intently for several minutes ; but in
tlie breathing stillness not a sound save the drowsy
rush of water at a great distance could be detected by
his straininnr ear.

For a moment the hunter was oppressed by a super-
stitions awe. He had heard of the apparitions of
Indian spirits which haunted tl scenes of their earthly
deeds. Those phantom figure^ that had passed his
ambush, and had thus unaccountably disappeared,
perhaps they were the unquiet spirits of braves who
had long since gone to their account. But these were
passing apprehensions.

" Wagh ! " exclaimed Jake to hiLiself , " this coon don't

iin/ilii

iiii;. «iHii

2()2

ALMOST SHOT.

ijfivo ill to sicli tilings. I recivon tlieiii tlirec M-iir tlie
very skunks as lifted our plunder, an' ut* tliur uIidvc
li'i'ound tluir lH)und to show."

With a detoriuination to prosecute his search, oM
Jak(> a<lvanced stealthily, keeping as near the creek as
the nature of the ground would allow, and the wliilc
glancing sharply to right and left, expecting eaeli
instant to detect the savages lurking heiiealh the
shadow of the banks.

At the bend in the stream, where its farther course
became visible, the hunter paused a moment in sur-
prise. 1 Fe could see down the creek for a considerahlo
distance ; but, as we have seen, the raft and its occu-
pants were nowhere visible.

While carefully separating the branches as he
passed through them, a twig snapped sharply, echoing
in the death-like silence from bank to bank of the
stream.

The hunter suddenly ceased to move, and listeiiiMl
intently. A distant rustle caught his ear, and then all
was still, lie was about to move forward again, when
a Hash shot out of the thick brushwood which lined the
brink of the creek, some hundred yards away, and at
the same instant a bullet hissed so close past his head
as actually to carry away a lock of hair from under the
verge of his coonskin cap !

Jake was too experienced in the arts of Indian war-
fare not to know what cource to take. The iiioineiit
the report of the ritle reached him he sank out of sight

Lvrmj IN AMJUisir.

•ic:}

lii'liiiul tlio bnisliwood, and moved iicitlicr liaiid nor
fiiot, lest the .slii,ditc.st moiion of liis enemies miL,dit
escape liim.

For ;in hour tlic trappier lay pei'fcetly still. Durini;-
that period nothing disturbed the ([ui(^t of the woods.
The filarm wliich liad been occasioiKMl }»y the rej)ort of
the rillc seemed to liave subsided, ami again the ordinary
noises of the forest were audible— tlie bark of tlie fox,
the call of the loon on the neighbouring Atliabasca, the
scream of the heron, or the plaintive cries of the water-
fowl. Jake, however, was not to be betrayed into a
fancied sense of security. He lay still in his and)ush
waiting with the patience of the cat for the appearance
of his foes. At length the bushes on the opposite bank
of the creek at a spot about one hundred yards distant
rustled violently, and immediately the trapjx.'r beheld
the raft impelled from their shelter into the stream.
The three savages were upon it, and in a moment they
had pushed across the creek, where they plunged amid
the trees, and were lost in the dim shades.

No noise betrayed their whereabouts ; but Jake well
knew that to discover him, alive or dead, was their
object. The moment, therefore, that he beheld the
Indians disappear deeper into the woods, as if to take
Ills position in the rear, Jake left his ambush, and
descending the steep bank of the creek, he dropped
into the water.

This was deep ; but the old hunter was a good
■swimmer, and cared little for his immersion, although

I >''

264

THE RAFT REGAINED.

it occasioned him some trouble to hold his aiiiniunition
and rifle out of the water with one hand wliilo lie
swam with the other.

To gain the raft was the trapper's object, and towards
this, therefore, he directed himself. Fortunately the
distance was trifling, so that within the space of a tow
minutes from the time he left his ambush he found
himself once more in possession of the raft, and sur-
rounded by the valuable stock of furs which constituted
the freight.

Jake was well aware that time pressed. At that
very moment the savages were crouching stealtliily
towards the spot he had lately occupied, and discovery
would certainly follow if he remained lon^'er in thu
neio-'ibourhood. He therefore seized one of the hm
poles with which the Indians had na^'igatell ihe raft,
and with one vigorous push he sliot the unwieldy
vessel across the creek to the point at which lie had
seen it emerge a few minutes previously. Here, to hi>
great surprise, he discovered a hidden channel, coui-
pletely overarched by the underwood and smaller trees
which grew thickly among the taller growth. Into
this with considerable difficulty he pushed thi raft, ar.d
once more breathed freely.

" The varmints thort to sai'cumvont old ^^'^^^■
Hawkcn!" he chuckled; ''but they'll find him a
raythcr uphill customer, I reckon ! He, he ! they
ain't a-gwjne to make much out o' this .speculation,
I ffijess ! "

THE END OF A ''BRAVED

2G5

At this moment the murmur of voices fell upon his
ear, and presently from his ambush the hunter could
see his enemies gesticulating excitedly, as they held a
council by the verge of the creek. One of the number
pointed backwards through the trees, as if to emphasize
a statement that the trapper had escaped in that
direction, while the others from their manner appeared
to imagine that he had gone down the creek towards
the Athabasca.

They now approached the spot where they had left
the raft.

"Thur'll be lightnin' around loose now," thought
Jfil^'c, " when the critters find the raft gone."

A sudden halt, and an ejaculation of surprise and
disappointment from each simultaneously announced
the discovery. Then like hounds on a lost scent they
divided. Two ran down the creek towards the Atha-
basca, while the third searched the upward course of
the stream,

" I guess I sweeps stakes this time," exclaimed Jake,
raising his rifle. The third savage was now plainly
visible as he stood close by the verge of the water and
gazed earnestly down the stream.

A sharp report, a frantic cry, and a heavy splash
startled the echoes. The Indian fell forward into the
creek, the waves made by his fall gradually subsided,
and a^ain the moonbeams rested peacefully on the
liuiet surface of the water.

"The niggur brought it on hisself," muttered Jake

ill :

2Gf;

IMMINENT DANGER.

sternly as ho pressed home the well-leathered Imllet
into his riHe.

Scarcely had the tra[)per completed the loadiiiL;' of
his riile when the two Indians who had gone down
towards the Athabasca returned, attracted by the shot.
From Ids place of concealment Jake could see tliciu as
they cautiously pushed their way through the uiidei'-
growth, the moon occasionally gleaming on the l)aiTe].s
of their rifles, which they held ready to he discharged
at a moment's notice. Exactly opposite the month of
the hidden cove a shelving bank gave access to the
water, and here the two Redskins halted. Jake could
liear their expressions of surprise at the disappearance
of their companion (to whose rifle, apparently, they
ascribed the shot which they had heard) as they keenly
scanned the moonlit reaches of the creek. They stood
side by side at the water's edge, fronting the lurking
trapper at the distance of hardly fifteen yards. Jake
was aware that it now had become necessary to shoot
both the savages ; but as his rifle was a single barrel
he could not hope to dispose of both at one shot until
they were one behind the other. He therefore reserved
his fire and waited his opportunity.

Little did the savages suspect the imminent danger
of tlieir position as they stood full in view, just where
a .'ihcaf of moonbeams fell through the overhanging
branch /s,

Ptesentiy. having satis led themselves that their
cOiii'O' w^.> act in the immediate vicinity, tle.y turned

V\^ f

SUDDEN DESTRUCTION.

2G7

to ascend the bank. This was the moment for which
old Jake had waited. As the Indians climljed the
sli-lit declivity they fell into line, and at that instant
the hunter pulled the tri<i^ger. The hindmost savag'i!
spraii,!jf from the ground, and rolling down the bank lay
motionless with outstretched arms by the verge of the
eieck. The other dropped his rifle, and after falling
once or twice, reached the bushes on the summit of
the slope, where he finally fell, incapable of further
etibrt.

Concealment was, of course, no longer necessary.
Jake therefore took a pole, and forced the raft out into
the stream. As he left the friendly shelter of the cove
he observed an Indian lodge on a little open spot
adjoining the water. This clearly wa.s the hut of the
three ill-fated savao-es. Jake leaned a moment cm his
oar debating whether to visit tlie hut and appropriate
t • his own use the effects of its late owners ; but being
anxious to rejoin his friends, he decided to postpone
tills proceeding for the present. He therefore used his
pule vigorously, nnd soon entered the broad stream of
the Athabasca. Here liis labours were confined to
keeping the raft to the centre of the river, whose
powerfid current bore him rapidly downwards. In
about three hours he ha«d the gratification of seeing the
^lare of a camp fire reflected upon the river, and with
an exultant shout the old trapper directed his raft
towanls tlie bank, where he was immediately met by
Pierre and Gaultier, who pressed him with eager in-

ii,

«><i".

268

OLD JAKE IN THE CAMP.

quiries as to his adventures. We need not recapitulate
these ; but we may observe that they lost notliing of
excitement when detailed by the garrulous old fellow,
who relished nothing so much as " reelin' oil' his (loin's "
to an attentive audience, while satisfying an appetite
which seemed well-niefh insatiable.

CHAPTER XYIIL

m \

riERKE AND HIS COUSIN START FOR THE INDIANS HUT — THEY FIND THE BODIES
OF TWO OF THE SAVAGES — DREADFUL SPECTACLE PRESENTED BY ONE OF THEM
—AN IMPROMPTU BRIDOE— THEY ARRIVE AT THE HUT— SET OUT FOR THE
CAMP— A BEAR — HE MEETS HIS DEATH — PIintRC's ACCOUNT OF THE BEAR —
THE GRIZZLY — THE B: OWN AND POLAR BEARS — HIBERNATION— METHOD OF

iiuNTiNo— Jake's adventure.

Thk party did not continue their joiiniej on the
followinjj mornin<2:. The excitement and labours of
the preceding night had disposed old Jake to take a
little more rest tlian was his wont, and the forenoon
was therefore well advanced when that individual set
about preparing his breakfast. Both Pierre and Gaul-
tier had risen long before, and were gone, by Jake's
direction, to the Indians' hut, as they considered it very
probable that these savages had lived an isolated life,
and had neither squaws nor relatives who might fall
heirs to their possessions. The young men conse-
C|iiently considered these as their legitimate spoils.
They were likewise anxious to ascertain what had
become of the third savage whom Jake had seen fall
desperately wounded in the bushes. On arriving at
the sr lie of the encounter, whicli they had no diffi-
culty in discovering, they found the bodies where they

270

A DREADFUL SPECTACLE.

liad fallen. That of the third Indian was Icaniiv^
ai^-ainst a tree, to which the ill-starred Mivtcli I rail
drag-L;-ed himself in his last moments, lie pn'scntcil u
hideous spectacle. Blood had welled in torrents tVum
a bullet-wound in his Lack, and had stained the orass
and /eeds all round, as well as all his person. His
eyes were open, and seemed fixed with a nialigiiaiit
scowl upon the hunters as they came towards liim,
The lower jaw hung open, and they could perceive that
his mouth was filled with clotted blood, whicli had
dropped in copious gouts upon his chest and thinlis.
The features were convulsed, and as."- umed in their con-
tortion a demon-like expression.

Shocked at so dreadful a spectacle, the young nen
turned to examine the other savaije. He seemed to
have died peacefully. Indeed, his death was instantane-
ous, as we hii, '0 seen. Pierre and Gaultier approjuiated
the arms of the dead, and leaving the bodies as tlay
lay, they directed their ctttention to crossing tlie (Teek,
which, althouoh not more than fifteen yards in breadth,
was too deep to be crossed on foot.

This difficulty, however, they soon surmounted. <hi
the top of the bank, and close to the brink, stood a
pine wdiich rose probably to the height of sevi>nty or
eighty feet. With their keen axes they soon fdlcd
this across the creek, in this way making an effective
bridge by which they gained access to the farther
side.

They immediately proceeded to examine the hut,

VISIT TO AN INDIAN LODdv.

271

wliich bad appcarontly been imvisited since the death
of its owners. The interior resendjled that of an
ordinary Indian lodge. In one corner tliey found a
.'oodly collection of skins, among which were several
of the highly-prized silver fox. Some of the peltries
were almost valueless. These they rejected, and find-
iiii,' no other ohjects M'orth removal, tliey shouldered
the packs into which they had bound the hides, and
,ii;ain crossing the creek upon their impromptu bridge,
tliey wended their way towards the camp. It was
late in the afternoon when they arrived at a spot about
a mile distant from the encampment. Here, feeling
fatigued with their walk, as well as by the weight of
their burdens, they disembarrassed themselves of their
loads, and flung themselves upon a grassy bank
which commanded a good view of the river both up
down its course. Pierre produced his pipe, and having
tilled it from his otter-skin pouch, he surrendered him-
self to its quiet enjoyment. At this spot the river was
several hundred yards across, tlie farther bank being-
covered with trees almost to the edge of the water.
While vacantly gazing through the wreaths of smoke,
Pierre's eye was suddenly arrested by an (A)ject which
moved behind some bushes near the verge of the
opposite bank. For some moments it remained sta-
tionary; but presently it advanced from its shelter,
and both the hunters immediately observed it to be a
bear. The animal apparently had not perceived them,
a> it came boldly forward to the water.

272

A UK Alt liROUaUT DOWN.

" I declare," exclaimed CJaultier, " he's coming acioss'.i
Let us hide."

Both the young men accordin^-ly crawliMl brliin,! a]
bush and watched with interest the progress of tlioi
animal, which had plunged into the river and was ikav
swimming with powerful strokes towards them.

" He'll land within ten yards of us," whispert'd]
Pierre; " don't fire till he comes nshore, and then Uiv/A
at him."

Gaultier nodded assent. In a f^w moments the Invir
raised his dripping form from the water, and stood!
directly before the hunters. At this instant hotli find
together; and as the smoke cleared away, the hear ^\ as
observed lying lifeless by the edge of the wat<i'.
Pierre's bullet had pierced its skull, while Gaidtier's liadl
penetrated the neck, severing the spine in its passage.

" It is lucky," said Gaultier, " that we cncouiitcredj
this fellow so near camp. I would not have liked tc
have had his hide to carry much further, as our otlier|
loads are quite enough."

The two hunters set about skinning the bear, wliichl
operation they performed in a very few minutcs.|
They then shouldered their loads and set out for camp^
which they reached without any further adventure.

Jake had been expecting their return, and had the
forethought to prepare a good broil of venison ribs ; to|
which the hungry trappers did ample justice.

When they had satisfied their appetites and reclinedl
on the grass near the fire, Gaultier proposed that Pierrel

AMKRICAN BEARS.

273

should read his notes on tlie boars of America ; wliich
proposition was seconded by Jake. The yoving hunter
inatlo no objection, and opening his manuscript he

III'- 'an : —

" I will take tlie connnon black bear iirst, as ho is more
widely distril)ute(l and is therefore more generally
known tlian either of the other species. In colour, as
Ills designation implies, lie is ordinarily a deep black ;
kit is furnished with a yellowish-red patch upon the
iiuizzlc, upon which also the hair is smooth and short.
This patch, however, is not invariably present, as in-
stances are not wanting in which it has been absent.
The colour, too, sometimes varies, ai)pi'uaching more
nearly to brown in some specimens than in others.
Occasionally animals of this species have been seen
with dashes of white, but these are very uncommon ;
others have been observed of a cinnamon colour. Upon
these differences of hue in the pelage some have
founded the theory of a difference of species. But
such persons cannot have had much practical ac-
quaintance with the subject. I have myself seen a
bear as black as jet followed by cubs of a different
colour — "

" I reckon that's so," interjected Jake ; " an' this
niggur has seed a brown b'ar wi' cubs as black as the
pelt ye fetched in a while agone. It's all a chance
what colour the young uns takes to, though, o' coorse,
Uack's the most nat'ral."

Pierre continued — " The black bear devours roots of

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TJI BEAR AND THE BEES'.

various kinds, which he skilfully grubs up ; nuts andl
fruits, as well as fish and flesh. He is, in fact, oiniiivor-
ous. He has also heen known to oat heartily of car- 1
rion ; but, as a rule, he prefers a vegetable diet. Soino
individuals, however, have developed a partiality for al
meat diet, and will brave every risk to satisfy tlio]
craving. These will boldly invade the settler's sliuep or
hog pen and seize a victim, which they will convey to!
the nearest cover, and there greedily devour it alive ;
for the bear, unlike other carnivorous animals, does not!
kill his prey outright, but rends and devours it while
still screaming and struggling for its existence."

" I need not remind you," said Pierre glancing from i
his book, " that the black bear is fond of honey. To i
discover a bee-tree, indeed, is one of the chief aims of]
his life. As he is a very expert climber, thanks to the
strength of hug with which Nature has supplied him, he I
can ascend the tallest and smoothest trees with ease. He
thus has no difficulty in prosecuting his never-ending
search for the hives of the wild bees, which are usually
the holes worn in some patriarch of the forest by the
corroding effect of the w^eather or by internal decay.
If the entrance to these stores is too small to admit his
head, he soon enlarges it with his powerful claws. His
thick fur is a perfect defence against the attacks of tho|
enraged insects, whose buzzing legions the robber re-
gards with the profoundest indifference. But should al
sting be inserted in a tender part, such as the eye orj
lip, the bear immediately retreats to some neighbouringj

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AN EXTENSIVE liANOE.

275

branch for a short space until the irritation subsides,
when he again advances to the attack.

The habitat of the black bear is very extensive.
As he affects the woods both for the shelter they supply
h well as for the fruits, larvae, nuts, etc., there to be
found, he is seldom met with at a distance from timber.
In all the large forest-covered districts, therefore, of
North Amei'ica, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, both
in the United States and in Canada, the black bear is
more or less plentiful.

"The open prairies, the arid deserts which stretch
along the Rocky Mountains, as well as the gloomy
passes and timbered valleys among these hills, are the
kme of the fierce grizzly bear. In Canada another
kar, considered by some to be identical with the Ursus
mtos, or brown bear of Northern Europe, is found
ranging over the sterile regions known as the ' Barren
1 Grounds.'

"In these desolate regions, too, is found the Polar
jbear, whose geographical distribution has, it is sup-
I posed, no limit in a northern direction.

"The advance of civilization has, of course, thinned
I the numbers as well as restricted the range of the
Wack bear. Two centuries ago the vast region between
Ittie Atlantic and the western limits of the forests
Wond the Mississippi formed a habitat peculiarly well
puited to the requirements of this animal. But it has
Appeared from many districts before the encroach-
ments of the settlers upon its woodland haunts, al-
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A PniMinVE RETnEAT.

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though there are still but few states which do not po«
sess some tract of wild country which aH'ords shelter ii
forest or inountaiii fastness to animals of this specie
In some states it is probably as plentiful as ever. Tlu
cane-brakes and forests of Louisiana, Texas. Floij.k
Mississippi, and Alabama are well stocked with hearsl
which afford exciting sport all the year round to th
hunters of those regions.

" In the cold climate of the north the black beaJ
retires to the shelter of a hollow tree or loir, or if tliii
be not conveniently met with, to a cave, where it li<
torpid during the winter months. Sometimes it
retreat is of a very primitive character — merely th^
shelter obtained by squeezing its body under the lee
some fallen tree. The snow speedily covers it up, an<
the bear will thus repose in somnolent inaction unt^
the returninc: warmth thaws its coverinfj, when
emerges from its retreat. At this time it is in a stat
of great emaciation. The Indians say tliat a bear wliicj
retires to its den at the beginning of winter in a poc
condition will not survive until spring. They furth(
assert that the immense mass of fat which surrounc
the body of the bear at the time of its retirement, aft«
having revelled among fruits, nuts, roots, etc., during i\\
summer and autumn, forms its means of subsisten(|
during its torpidity by becoming absorbed into tl
animal's system. Both these statements seem probal
enough.

" The pursuit of the black bear is. a very favourij

A COURAGEOUS HUNTER.

277

amusement with the settlers in tlie backwoods. The
animal is chased by dogs, whicli soon cause it either to
tree 'or to come to bay in some spot where it can
(k'fend itself with advantage. The Innitcr then steals
lip, while the bear's attention is drawn off by the dogs,
aivl delivers the fatal bullet from a distance of a few
vanls. Should the incensed animal, however, get the
hunter within his clutches, he will make him pay
Joarly for his temerity in venturing to such close
quarters.

"When the bear takes refuge from his pursuers in a
cave or in a hollow tree, he is forced from its shelter by
>inoke. Sometimes he is taken in pens, or is caught
Ix'iicath a ponderous log, so arranged as to fall on the
springing of a trigger to which the bait is attached.
But it must be confessed that these methods of capture
ilo not recommend themselves to the true hunter, who
trusts chiefly to his rifle to win a victory over the
denizens of the wilderness.

"I have observed that at the approach of cold
weather the bear sometimes retires to a cave in which
to hibernate. Should the hunter discover this retreat,
and be sufficiently courageous, he will enter, and by
the light of a torch attack the bear in his den. Some-
times the passage is so low and narrow that the liunter
ks to crawl forward, pushing his light along in front
of him. To do this the more easily, the torch — usually
a rough candle made of wild bees' wax, tempered with
bear's grease or some similar substance — is fixed in a

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A firUNNINO CRASH.

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block of wood, to serve as a rude candlestick. Wlion
at length the lair is reached at the farthest recess of
the cave, the bear may be observed cuddled up com-
fortably with his snout buried between his fore paws.
The hunter now selects the spot at which to aim ; and
if, from the position of the beast, this be not sutlicimtlv
exposed, he will not hesitate to whistle in order t<t
wake the bear. The latter startled from its profound
repose, its eyes dulled by sleep, and its faculties inert
from imprisonment, sits blinking at the unwonted
apparition, and probably shuffles forward tosnifiat the
candle. This is the hunter's opportunity. Lying (as 1
have supposed) on his face in the narrow passage,
incapable of an expeditious retreat, his life may truly
be said to depend upon the success of his shot. Should
he fail to bring down the bear at the first fire, tlie
beast, maddened by the sudden wound, springs upon
his victim, who literally lies at his mercy. Risky as
this mode of attack may appear, but few accidents j
have occurred to those whose nerves have been siitli-
ciently firm to allow of their undertaking it. But the I
hunters of the West are not men to be easily unnerveil,]
under any circumstances.

" When the bear, therefore, advances to the light, tlioj
hunter raises his rifle steadily, and draws a bead upouj
the small pig-like eye. A stunning crash follows, tli(J
pent-up echoes reverberating like a thunder -cla[
throuorh the ramifications of the cavern, and the beat
falls forward with his skull shattered to atoms by the

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A DAB I NO ADVENTURE.

279

unerring bullet. The candle is extinguished ; but the
hunter possesses the means of relighting it, and having
(lone this, he proceeds to drag the carcass from the
cave. If this be impossible, either from the narrowness
and ineci'aalities of the aperture, or from the weight of
the bear, he flays the carcass where it lies, and efi'ects
his retreat, dragging with liim the hide and grease and
siicli other portions as he fancies. In several journeys
the whole is removed. Probably no method of bear-
hunting affords such thrilling anecdotes of peril as
this."

" Ye may take yer davy o' that fur sure," exclaimed
Jake. " This coon 'a many times follered up a bar, an'
each time he declared it'd be the last. 'Twur once or
twice near bein' the last, sure enufl'; but a fellur forgets
them things when he's on hot b'ar sign an' 'ithin reach
o' pelt an' karkidgo."

" I'm sure, Jake," said Gaultier in a coaxing tone,
" you have had many tussles with bears under ground
a.s well as over, and Pierre and I would like to hear an
account of one."

" Wal, young fellur," answered the hunter, " as
we're talkin' o' the varmints, I don't care ef I diz tell
ycro' what happened to me the very last time as e^ er
was, I fullered a b'ar into his cave. 'Twur ockard, ye'll
allow, an' no two sayin's about it, I guess. I wur out
west in the Medicine Bow Range, an' hed fixed a pretty
tall heap o' b'ars durin' the fall. Wal, one day arter
snow time, I wur trackin' up a wapiti bull as hed

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IN A HE A n'S (JA VL\

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carried away a pill from riuniceiitre in liis innards, an'
wur failin' fast on the trail, when wliat shed I conu'
upon but a bar's snore-hole ; that is, o' course, the leetle
hole the varmint's liot breath melts up through snow
over whur he's cached below. Arter linishjn' wi" tin-
bull, I kem back an' tuck a view o' the sitooation. I
clurred oft' the snow from whur 1 expected the nidiith
o' the cave to be, when ^vhat wur my surprise to find
thur wa'n't no cave to be seed ! Thur wur a small lutle
about the scantlin' o' a mouse-liole down thit»u^li the
ground, an' twur up this the varmint's breath lied eonu

" ' Jehoshaphat !' cries I, * this nigi,'ur'.s not as liefty as I
he used to was; but his carkidije 'd never uct down
thur r So I sets to work, an', sure enulK, I med out tlic
mouth o' the cave in the face o' a lectlc bank clost hy.
At fust I thort o' lightin' up stink-plants an' stinkin'
the b'ar out ; but on second thorts I conclude' . I'd take a|
look in on the crittur, as the cave seemed purty rooniljy
Wal, I poked in, an' lit a bit o' candle I luckily hed iu|
my possible sack.

" I soon found that the cave narrered, and got sc
low at that, that I hed to go it on all fours. Tli(
travellin' wur main bad, fellurs, I kin tell ycr; fur, }(
sees, the water hed kept droppin' through above, aiil
med pools hyur an' thur along the floor tlu'ough v.hiclj
I hed to drag my old carkidge, till I wur as wet as
gudgeon. I didn't mind that so much though a
keepin' my candle lightin' an' old Plumcentrc dry. Sj
I crawled along, an' arter a leetle time I keni to wlu

llKAliDiyU (:iu;i/iA-

281

the road split, one passage goin' straiglit on an'
t'otlier'n goin' off to one side.

"Twnr liard to i(A\ \\\\\v\\ way to take; but artor a
leetle speculation I concluded to foller right ahead — an'
light that wur, 1 reckon! In two minutes more, in
scroogin' round a corner, I kern l)ang upon an all-lired
liitr bar 'itliin three feet o' IMumcentre's muzzle !
Boyees, 1 seed at luilf a glinip that h'ar wur a grizzly !

"At fust the varmint wur dozin' sound emifl'; hut he
wur rolled up in sich a tangle that 'twur hard to say
wliieh wur head an' which wur tail. Anyways, afore
I lu'd much time to iin<l out, the Var lie riz up liis
head, an' ^ou'd better bleevc the start he gev wur a
cauti(jn.

" His leetle peepers wur blinded wi' the light, an' he
kep' blinkin' an' starin' while I sot down the candle an'
got Plumcentre ready.

" 'Twa'n't a long shot, yon bet ! But wdicn I pulled the
trigger I thort all creation busted up all round ! The
n'ize w^ur dreadful in sich a confined place ; but it
twa'n't that skeert this coon. I hed hardly lieerd
the report when the b'ar wi' a roar med at me. The
candle wur out, an' the varmint tore over me, a'most
squeezin' my innards out, as thur wa'n't room fur two
in the passage. Wal, fellurs, I felt as ef every bone in
my body wur broke ; an' as fur my old phisog, I thort
it wur clean ground off me agin the bottom o' the cave.
The b'ar wur somewhur behint me, as I cud hear him
snortiii'like all creation; but I wur fortunate,! guess, that

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A SHOCKING Sff.'IIT.

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the lump o' load lied done his biiHincss. Kf it hcilut,
you'd 'a never knowed Jake Hawken. I cudn't turn
round to see the bar, the cave wur so narrer ; so I jc>t
crep' forward a bit till I got into the bar's lair, wjiicli
wur a bit wider. T then turned round an' lit my
candle agin, which 1 wur lucky to lay my claws i^xju
as I groped along on all fours.

" I soon med out that the b'ar wur dead; but tlir
critter bed dropped in the narrowest part o' the Imll
cave an' plugged it up as tight as a ball in my old rille
barrel !

" Thur wa'n't no gettin' past him, you bet, so I hod
to set to work wi' my bowie; an', fellurs — will yor l)Ioovo
it ? — I wur four mortal hours hackin' an' hewin' at that
thur carkidge, an' carryin' pieces o' it back out o' tlio
way, afore I cud squeeze meself past it ! The hide, o'
coorse, wur cut to raggles, an' o' no account at all ; an'
so I hed nothin' to show fur all my trouble an' danger,
'cepting what blood an' grease v/ur plastered over my
old duds. I kem out o' that cave, boyees, as diity
a case as ever ye sot eyes on ! I didn't care fur that
though, seein' I wur so well out o' the bisnoss; fur
ef I'd knowed 'twur a grizzly as wur inside I'd never
have ventur'd in ; that's a fact." Here ended Jake's
account of his adventure.

The remainder of the day was spent in making pre-
parations for departure; and when these were completed
the hunters retired early to rest, as they anticipated a
fatiguing day's journey on the morrow.

I i

CTTAPTKR XIX.

» STiillM UN LAKK ATII AltASCA — DANtlER — A WAMTK OV HATKIIS— Til K THAI'I-KIIS
KKAdl THE NOKTII SIIOIIK - I,nHT~A HULL MOOHE— A ClIIOD HIIOT— NMMIIEIIH
OK MDDSE IV THE ATIIAIIAMCA KISTHUT — OKADUAL EXTIN<'TI()N OF TIIK
WiPOD BISON — STAHT FOR FOUT CHEJ'EWYAN — WATEIIKOWL — HP.AVEUM —
AUVKNIf HE WITH A OIIIZZLV— OLI> JAKE'.S AUVENTUIIE WITH A UKIZZLY
RRAR.

TiiK (lay broke gray and chill. Heavy clouds obscured
the sky towards the north-west, and from their gloom/
fields irregular masses became detached, and were
liurricd across the sky by a fierce wind. Sudden
squalls tore through the woods as if in search of the
weak and decrepit members of the forest, which parted
with their branches or fell entire before the vengeful
spirit of the storm. The enibers of the camp fire were
seized by the gusts and whirled into the faces and
against the persons of the hunters, who with difficulty
achieved the cooking of their simple meal.

They soon left the camp, and committed themselves
to their raft, which tossed unpleasantly upon the
agitated surface of the water whenever the fierce
krricane howled along the course of the river.

All day they drifted with the current, and towards
evening landed near the debouchure of the Athabasca

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STOltM ON LAKH ATllAliASCA.

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in thu lake of tliat name. Tlu; nii^^ht was spent as
usual, and in tluj niorniiiLf tlu; journey wr.s eoiitiuutil.
Jiut tliu stonn still ra^'od, altliou<,di tliu <lireetii»u of the
wind had clum^'od, and rendered the task of ( lossiti"-
the lake both difficult and danj^erous.

Jake, however, anticipated a (piick run aeross to
Fort Chepewyan on the farther shore, where he looked
forward to a fresh supply of tobacco and other neces-
saries, which had become exhausted on their suiuewhat
protracted journey.

While the raft was under the lee of the forest, tlie
full force of the wind was not experienced; but once
beyond its shelter, the party began to regret the iinlis-
cretion of having ventured upon so large a lake when
laslied into fury by a storm. The seas were short anil
choppy, and whenever the wind attained its utmost
force, the water broke in a deluge over the raft, sweep-
ing away some articles which liad been carelessly
secured.

Towards the east and north-east, as far as the eye
coukl reach, extended a w.iste of green foam-crested
billows, rising in angry undulations against the leaden
horizon, while behind the distant forest receded rapidly,
and soon a surging world of hungry waters surrounded
them on every side. Both Pierre and Gaultier shivered
as the tempest tore the spray from the crests of the
waves and hurled it over them in sheets, drenchini;
them to the skin. The raft laboured heavily, hardlyj
rising over the billows, which indeed had full play ove

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28.")

its surface; so that it was witli <,'emiiiu' satisfaction tliat
they belioM the opposite shores of the lake jjjrachially
kconiin^ more and more distinct, and soon they could
(listin^'uish tlic more prominent features of the coast.

Ill little more than five hours from leaving the moutli
(if tlu! Athabasca they landed on the northern shore (»f
that lake ; but at what precise spot they could nut
tlftonninc.

Tlu'ir proper course would liave been north-westerly
to reach Fort Chepewyan ; but they had been driven
nnich to the eastward by the tempest, which had
VLiicd from north-west to west during the previous
niglit.

"Taint o' nuich account whur we ur edzactly," said
Jake. " I reckon we kin make tracks out one location
as well as out o' another."

" At an y rate," said Pierre, " we must remain licrc
until the storm abates. To-morrow we must search
the shores to the west, as I am certain the fort lies in
that direction."

"This coon don't know what ye're a-gwine to do,"
observed Jake ; " but he's a-gwine to see arter hevin'
somethin' to chaw. That ar lake wur a caution ! an'
now we're safe o' it, I feels kinder peckish !"

The provisions w^ere soon produce 1 and notwith-
standing that their exposure to the waves had some-
what damaged them, the three hunters made a hearty
meal.

Wood was next cut, and a huge fire made in a

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A G OD SHOT.

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sheltered nook. Round this the party stood (hyin"!
their clothing, which was thoroughly saturated whh]
the spray.

During the night the storm moderated, and at day- 1
hreak perfect quiet prevailed. The lake, however, w.is!
still much agitated, and they judged it pru<lent to
remain in ca^iip until the waters had relapsed into tlieir
normal quiescence.

Shortly after breakfast Gaultier drew the attention
of his comrades to a huge bull moose which, unsus-
picious of danger, had emerged from the cover of tlic
scattered clumps of pines and willows on the lake shore,
and now stood about three hundred yards away, close
to the edge of the water. Pierre took his Winchester,
and resting one elbow on his left knee as he sat, took a
steady shot at the animal's shoulder.

" Great Christopher Columbus ! " cried Jake, " that
thur lump o' lead has did the bisness ! " and in fact the
party observed the moose to give a tremendous bound
and then to fall, its head and shoulders in the lake,
while its hind quarters lay upon the pebbly beach.

They immediately set out for the spot, and soon were
busied in flaying and cutting up the gigantic carcass.

The district round Lake Athabasca is a favourite
haunt of the moose, which is also plentiful along the
courses of the Peace and Mackenzie rivers.

The Fur Company 's posts in these regions are chiefly
rationed with his flesh, for which nearly five hundred
moose are annually required by those stations which

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THE WOOD-BUFFALO.

287

lie along the Peace River. Athabasca exports on an
average the skins of some two thousand moose yearly.

The extraordinary powers of hearing possessed by
this animal have been already alluded to. It is on
those days when the elements are in a state of dis-
turbance that there is the best chance of approaching
unperceived. When the rain has rendered the fallen
iihris of twigs, the dried leaves and herbage, soft and
pliant, and when the wind howls through the forest,
swaying the branches against each other, and filling
the air with their rustling, the moose-hunter leaves his
camp with the assurance of being enabled by the
uproar to steal unobserved and unheard on the gigantic
game. Notwithstanding the great numbers of moose
annually destroyed, they still exist in great plenty
throughout the vast regions of the North-West.

Another animal formerly numerous has, however,
much declined in numbers of late years. This is the
wood-buffalo. One of the original explorers of these
countries found their droves darkening the meadows of
the Peace district ; but now few survive. Unusual
severity of the weather is alleged as the cause of their
disappearance. In 1793 they ranged in large herds
along the shores of the Peace River; in 1S2G Sir George
Simpson ascended this stream, and f(jund that the
bufFaloes had almost become extinct.

At the present time they exist in scattered bands on
the banks of the Liard River in the sixty -first degree of
north latitude. Preferring the dense entangled forest

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ENCAMPED FOR THE NIGHT.

to the open prairie ; larger, darker, and more ferocioii?
than the buffalo of the plains ; keener of eye and
scent, it is asserted by the Indians of these solitudesl
that, although differing as we have noted, tlie t\vo|
varieties are but the descendants of a common stock.

Towards noon the waves upon the lake had sub.si(le(l|
sufficiently to induce the hunters to continue theirl
journey. The sail which old Jake's ingenuity had im-
provised from a moose skin was spread before a favour-
ing breeze, and under its influence the raft glided along i
the picturesque shores at the rate of some five miles an
hour. During their sail the party had an opportnnityl
of observing the great numbers of waterfowl wliich
frequented the shallow water near the shore. Swans
of different varieties, geese, and ducks croaked, flapped,
and flew on all sides; and in a few shots sufficient were
secured to last them for some days. Several bears were
also seen; but these, unfortunately, had observed thel
uncommon apparition of the raft and its occupants, and!
had discreetly retired behind the shelter of the woods,!
where the trappers did not feel disposed to follow them.]
The remainder of tlie day was passed in this manner,|
and at sundown, as was their habit, the hunters landec
and made their camp for the night. Just at this spot
a stream of some width joined the lake, and at a littk
distance up its course they observed several of the
dome-shaped lodges of the beaver. The animals themj
selves were invisible ; but the widening circles in tli^
water betrayed the fact that they had betaken thenij

Hi 1

VISIT FROM A GRIZZLY.

289

selves in sudden fright to the shelter of their houses at
the approach of the trappers. Throughout all this
region beavers are numerous, Alonf; the shores of the
Peace River (which flows into Lake Athabasca by way
of the Slave River at its western extrenuty) nearly
thirty thousand of these animals annually fall victims
to the wiles of the Indian hunters. Still their numbers
do not seem sensibly diminished, and during the open
season on the river their splashing and gambolling may
be heard during the night, if the traveller lies awake
in his camp.

The black, the brown, and the grizzly bears here also
roam in great numbers, making it one of the most
attractive fields for the adventurous sportsman to be
found now-a-days on the American continent. In
autumn these bears are extremely fat, owing to the
abundance of fruit which grows all over the country.
The saskootum berry grows in vast profusion over the
hill slopes, and on these luscious dainties the bears
revel day by day until they become absolutely unwieldy
through excessive obesity.

At the camp the trappers had an opportunity of
remarking the mingled ferocity and curiosity evinced
by a huge grizzly. The animal emerged from a gully
of some considerable depth, which at this season was
dry, but which no doubt in spring at the melting of
the snows poured a rushing flood into the waters of the
lake. Some hundred yards separated the animal from
the camp, the fire of which he almost immediately

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290

PREPARING FOR AN ATTACK.

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observed, for he turned and regarded it steadily for
fully a minute. Neither of the hunters stirred. Tlie
bear evidently had had but a very limited ac(iuaiiitanco
with the human species, as he did not appear to realize
the risk he ran in exposing himself so freely.

The fire and the motionless figures seated round it
seemed to rouse his curiosity, and after taking a good
survey of the strange objects, he threw himself from
his erect position upon all fours, and advanced towards
the camp, now and then giving vent to a growl of dis-
satisfaction.

When within fifty yards matters began to look
serious. Clearly the grizzly meant action, for his
growls became more frequent and savage, and a row of
shining teeth displayed themselves which suggested to
the trappers the advisability of taking measures for
their safety.

" Don't 'ee go fur to fire ! " exclaimed Jake in an
excited tone to Gaultier, who was poising his rifle for
a shot. " Remember the blessed muss yer made at the
Buttes on the Saskatchewan last year wi' bringin' a
grizzly tearin' down on us. No, sir! I guess we'd
better get aboard o' the raft, an' then we'll walk into
the coon all together."

This advice was acted on. Hardly had the hunters
pushed off from the beach when the bear charged the i
camp, and began to satisfy his curiosity by pulling
about the different articles which had been left lying
round the fire. The large kettle especially seemed to

UTTERLY overthrown:

291

interest him ; and much to the amusomont of the party
he inserted his nose into tliis, whicli liappened to be
filled with liot water. A loud snarl, accompanied by
an ungainly start, testified to the aninud's surprise.
He immediately seized the kettle as if it were a sensient
enemy, and in an instant capsized the contents over
himself! A loud shout of laughter from the trappers
dit'W the attention of the enraged animal towards them,
when he ran to the water's edge, and without hesita-
tion plunged in, evidently with the intention of attack-
ing the raft. But alas for poor Ephraim ! Three rifles
which seldom varied from their mark were directed
upon the massive forehead, which, elevated above the
waves, presented a perfect target. The three reports
seemed as one., and when the smoke cleared, the feeble
splashing of the bear as he endeavoured to keep afloat
served to show that ho no longer meditated fight. The
raft was immediately poled towards him, and Jake had
just time to fling a noose over the grizzly's head as the
carcass beofan to sink.

The hunters ac:ain landed, and with considerable
ilifficulty they contrived to drag the dead bear upon
the beach, where they busied themselves in removing
the hide.

The grizzly bear has an extensive range. It is found
throu,*^hout the solitudes of the Rocky Mountains (with
an occasional hiatus) from the great bend of the Rio
Grande in the south to at least the sixty-second degree
of north latitude. It is also common in the plains

(780)

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292

THE GRIZZLY DESCRTBED.

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eastwcard of the mountains. It is singular that these
animals have been observed in the sterile deserts of:
interior Labrador, on the east of Hudson Bay, ^vhil^'
in the vast intermediate space none are found until
within some three or four hundred miles of the Kockv
Mountains.

Mr. John Maclean, author of " Twenty-five Years in
the Hudson Bay Company's Service," states that lie
undoubtedly received the hides of grizzly bears from
the Indian hunters of Labrador, and notes the fact as a
curious one.

The grizzly is a gigantic animal, and attains his
fullest size towards the southern limits of his range.
In general, however, he may be stated to weigh some
eight hundred pounds, and in length he attains from
eight and a half to ten feet. His massive fore arms arc
furnished with terrible claws, six inches long, whicli
cut like chisels when the monster makes a blow with
them. The strength of this bear is tremendous. With
a stroke of his ponderous paw he will disable a buffalo |
bull, and then drag away the carcass with almost as
much ease as a cat can carry a rat. A noted huntcrj
named Dougharty once shot a huge bison, and havingj
left the carcass in search of aid to cut it up, on his
return was astonished to find that it had been removed]
during his absence ! He had some difficulty in follow-
ing the trail ; but at length he discovered the bod;;
of the bison in a deep grave, excavated by a grizzl;
which had abstracted the carcass. Unlike the blacl^

f"j| \

SOME PKCULIARITIES.

203

bear, the grizzly does not hug liis victims to death. A
blow or two from his formidable paw usually is suffi-
cient to kill or cripple his antagonist. His first instinct,
as we have seen, on perceiving a strange or unusual
object is to uprear himself on his hams and take a
steady stare. He then seems to make up his mind for
an attack, and rushes straight on, regardless of every
consideration save that of gratifying his ferocious pro-
pensities.

It seems the grizzly possesses a mohility of claw
denied to the other varieties of his tribe. He can move
each of Ids claws independently, so that when searching
for larvae in the decayed fragments of a dead tree he
can crumble the wood to atoms by moving his claws in
succession.

"Old Ephraim," as he is familiarly styled by the
hunters of the West, impresses a profound respect for
himself upon the inferior denizens of the wild. Wolves
will not venture to touch a carcass Mdiich has been
left by him, although every other carrion which falls
in their way is greedily devoured.

Another peculiarity of the grizzly has often been
noted — namely, that of burying either the bodies of his
victims or of those which he casually comes across.
This has often been taken advantage of by hunters
whose every other resource had been exhausted in a
contest with this animal. Feifrninix death, the bear
ceases hostilities and drags away the body of the hunter,
which he buries in some convenient spot. Several

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294

OLD JAKE'S ADVENTURE.

adventures of this kind liad befallen old Jako, mIiIcIi
he recounted for the amusement of his conipanions.
One of these we reproduce here : —

"'Twur jest three yearn ago," began the trappei-,
" that I wur out in the Wind Riv^r mountains pro-
spectin' partly fur gold an' partly fur pelts. Thur wur
a sight o' elk that winter in the valleys, as the snow
wur deep above, an' druv down the game, which kem
in also in troops from the plains eastwards. Wal, I hed
poked out as sweet a location as ever ye seed — a lectio
valley hedged in by thundurin' big hills on all sides,
'ceptin' torst the south, an' wi' timber scattered ovev it
jest like it'd be planted o' purpose fur shelter. Thur
wa'n't much snow on the ground hyur, an' w'icn the
sun shone bright, ye'd a'most think 'twur summer instead
o' its bein' winter. Wal, I guess 'twur the warmth o'
the sun as fetched out old Eph from his cave or whur-
somever he'd toted his old carkidge to. I wur lookin'
arter my pelts, an', o' coorse, never thort o' a grizzly
standin' on his hind legs 'ithin ten yards o' my back
till I heerd a sniff an' looked round. Boyees ! a fellur
sometimes feels blarmed queer out in these diggin's; but
I wish I may never feel agin what I felt when I
squinted around an' seed that b'ar — a raal buster —
squatted on his hams, an' wuss'n all, wi' my rifle on thcj
ground clost to him ! Hyur wur a blessed go. Ef I'dj
had that leetle gun in my hand I'd a felt a weight of
my gizzard ; but thur wa'n't no help fur it. I hed noj
tree to run to, nor hed I eyther knife or pistol. I'd lef fcl

n RUIN'S MISTAKE.

205

tlic liull kit o' 'cm at tlic slianty, wliich wiir about a
quarter o' a mile or so away, as 1 expected to be back
in five minutes, not meanin' to go far, I guess the bar
seed how I wur .sarcumstanced, fur lie kem at me as
luiid as he cud go. I hed heerd o' hunters foolin' bars
into a notion tliev wur dead, an' seein' as I wur jest as
good as dead m'self, I tliort I'd try the trick. 'Twur as
good to be chawed lyin' down as standin' up, an' so 1
fell stiff, 'ithout a kick or a stir, afore that b'ar's nose.
I expected to feel his claws or teeth tearin' me open
every second ; but, fellurs, he didn't touch me hardly.
He sniffed round me ; an' through my eyelids, which I
had a'most closed, I cud see him a-sittin' up an' goin'
on so clumsy an' funny wi' his fore legs, that only it
wa'n't a larfin' matter I'd a larfed outright. Arter a
leetle bit o' dum play the varmint let hisself down on
his legs agin, an' caught a holt o' me by the shoulder,
carryin' me as easy as a feather. I wur took in this
way about a hundred yards, when the b'ar let me go,
an' scraped sand an' dirt over me till I wur covered a
foot deep. I thort I'd never be able to hold in fur
coughin' an' wheezin' when the crittur wur heapin' the
rubbish atop o' me. But I guess a fellur never knows
what he kin do till a grizzly's got a holt o' him. I lay
dead thur fur a full hour 'ithout darin' to stir hand or
foot. 0' coorse I cudn't see a bit, bein' covered up wi'
airth an' sand ; but at last I began to get tired o' the
bisness, an' took a heave, thro win' off the stuff'. Thur
wa'n't a sight o' the b'ar to be seed ! I didn't stay thur

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STIFF AS AN ICECIllSKL.

longer, you bet, an' shortly lied my clawH on PlumcL'ntro

agin.

" I follered the b'ar's track, which wiir as ])luin as
Pike's Peak, an' overtook the varmint at the h()tt(jin o'
a deep gulch. He hedn't seed me as yit, so I cloiiil) tliu
bluff to a ledge thirty foot over the bottom, an' t(j(jk a
rest off a rock at Ephraim's brain-box. I reckon tluit
b'ar gev a jump. He wa'n't throwed though. \\^:
spotted me at once, an' kem torst the bluff, but cufhi't
climb nohow. I slapped in the fodder as fast as I cud,
an' next time med a good shot. The b'ar wur stretched
out as stiff as an ice-chisel, so I kem down an' riz his
ha'r. Ye-es, I guess b'ars hed better leave Jake Hawkcii
alone — that they hed ! "

This opinion was shared by both Pierre and Gaultior.

CHAPTER XX.

ARRIVAL AT FORT CUKPEWVAN— UNACCWSTOMKD LUXURIKS— TPK HUNTKRH PRO-
VIUE A NEW fAN'OE AND A I'LENTirUI, Ml-'ITLY OF I'llOVlSlDNS— KNTKH THE
PEACE RIVER— A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE PEACE— A GRAND FEAHT— PIERRE's
ACCOUNT OK THE MUSK-OX— HH AUVENTUUE WITH A MUMK-OX- FI RF.-
IIUNTINO — OAULTIEU's ADVENTURE — DRAWINO A DEAD ON A PARLOUll
■WINDOW— THE OLD COLONEL's RAUE— llEINDEER AND UUFFALO MOUNTAINS
— MIUBATIONS OF AEINDERR.

The next day the hunters arrived at Fort Chopewyaii.
They did not meditate a long stay ; indeed, their chief
reason for stopping was to replenish their stores, which
had become alarmingly low.

They also " traded " their stock of furs, for which
they received a very considerable sum. Some days
were passed pleasantly among the employes at the fort,
hearing news, and giving in exchange their many
adventures by the way. They were hospitably enter-
tained by the gentleman in charge of the post, who
seemed to think that he could never do enough to
render their stay agreeable. It was therelbre with
regret that they tore themselves away from a real roof
and real beds, to which they had been so long unaccus-
tomed, but which on that account were all the more
valued. Before again venturing on Lake Athabasca

ii.

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208

ACCOUNT OF THK PKACK ItlVKU.

thoy providcf] tliCMnsclvos \\\i\\ an oxcdlcut canoe, jiinl
liavinpf stored it witli a full supply of provisions, tliey
set out for Fort Vermilion on tlic Peac(3 lliver.

They steered a westerly course, favoured hy a (^(hA
breeze, until tliey struck the debouchure of the Slave
Kiver, up which tliey turned. Late that evening,' they
readied the nioutli of the Peace, M'hlcli does not dehoueli
(as many suppose) into Lake Athabasca, with which it
connnunicates only by way of tlie Slave River, and, in
higli water, by the channel of t\vi (^)uatre Fourche.

The Peace flows through the Rocky Mountains for
some three hundred miles.receiving on its way the waters
of innumerable smaller streams. It is doubtful if such
stupendous cliffs as frown down upon the last hundred
miles of this river exist elsewhere upon the American
continent. This awful chasm is six thousand feet deep,
and at the bottom the water flows along as black as
ink in the gloomy shadow of these inaccessible clifls.
After leaving the mountains, the Peace winds for Ave
hundred miles through a deep narrow valley, sunk nearly
eight hundred feet below the level of the surrounding
plateaux. It next descends to a lower level, and, en-
closed by banks of no great height, it traverses a fine
alluvial valley densely wooded. Here its waters, once
rapid and turbulent, become calm and slow, and wind
their way along until, at the end of a course of eleven
hundred miles, they discharge themselves through a
delta into the Slave River.

In a course of nine hundred miles^ but two obstruc-

,! .

A 1! HATEFUL CONTRAST,

2!)1)

tions to imvij^ation occur. One owes its orij^'in, at two
hundred and fifty miles from tho ni<nith of tjjc river,
to a ridi,^» of limestone rock, which occasions a short
rapid and a fall of .M,l.»ont eii^ht feet. The second
olistruction is met with at the entrance to tlie vast
canon at the mountains, where a portai^a; of t<'n or
twelve miles becomes necessary. Throu'di the moun-
tains it Hows deep and silent, creepin*^ alon^^ by the
hases of the innncnsc cliffs, and affording a good water-
way to the canoes of the hardy employes of the Fur
Company.

The shade of approaching night was alrea<ly descend-
ing on the landscape when the hunters directed their
canoe to the bank. They felt in unusually good spirits,
and the young men awoke the echoes with their shouts
and boat-songs. The easy motion of the canoe, the
facility with which it could be steered and navigated,
ofiered a grateful contrast with the lumberinjj raft to
which they had been condemned for so long. Pierre's
pipe, too, for some time empty, was now in full blow,
while old Jake's jaws wagged (as he said) as fast as a
beaver's tail in flood-time. Tea, that cherished bever-
age in the Western wilderness, sugar, salt, some pre-
served vegetables, and biscuits, had been added to
their stores, and it therefore was little wonder that the
party felt elated.

Those of m\ readers who have actually experienced
what it is to run short of these supplies on a journey
through the wild West will sympathize with the

III

Mil

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A GRAND FEAST.

trappers in their joy at having their exhausted stock
renewed. To celebrate the occasion in a fitting inaimcr,
it was decided to have a great feast. Fish had been
procured by a Buell's spoon-bait, which Gauitier liad
paid out astern as they descended the Slave River;
Pierre's rifle had laid the feathered tribe under C(jntri-
bution; while just as they landed on the banks of tin-
Peace, a huge moose, which swam across the broad
stream in front of the canoe, succumbed to a well-
aimed bullet from Plumcentre. Jake was in high glee,
and presented a gory spectacle as he butchered the
immense carcass.

A prodigious fire soon cast abroad a ruddy glare over
the surface of the river, and striding round the blaze
the hunters toiled in cooking fish in a large kettle,
grilling goose and duck, moulile and steak, which hissed
and sputtered on the embers.

A kettleful of tea washed down these dainties, and
when finally the shanks of the moose were grilled on
the embers, and yielded up their rich store of marrow,
the hunters, one and all, lay back on the loppings of
white spruce, incapable of further effort.

" I guess I feels kinder comfortable now," said Jake ;
" thur's few things to ekal moose meat, I reckon."

" I think mountain mutton is better," observed
Pierre ; " I once lived on it for three months and didn't
get tired of it."

" Did yer ever eat musk-ox ?" asked Jake. " Thiu's
not a many critturs on this great continent that I

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!;'

THE MUSK-OX.

301

lieven't chawed, an' one o' 'em is musk-ox. I'm cur'ous
about it."

" I have tried it," answered Pierre ; " but I did not
Uke it. It tastes too musky ; the young does, how-
ever, are the best. They are very curious creatures,
and seem like relics of the antediluvian world rather
than animals to be met with in our humdrum days."

" What sort ur they ?" asked Jake ; " I hain't never
seed the varmints."

" In appearance," answered the young trapper, open-
ing his n^anuscript book, " they bear a general resem-
blance to a large sheep. In fact, their scientific
designation (Ovlhos moschatas) recognizes their relation-
ship or at least similarity to both the ox and the
sheep. They are furnished with hair, however, instead
of wool; and this grows to a great length, almost
touching the ground as the animal stands. In looking
at the horns, we are reminded of the Cape buffalo, as
these formidable-looking weapons are in both similarly
joined together at their bases, and effectually protect,
by a mass of bony substance, the foreheads of the
animals from any ordinary injury. As is the case witli
other species, the horns of the female are somewhat
smaller than those of the male, nor do they meet so
perfectly over the forehead. In both sexes the latter
is much arched ; and as a defence against the rigorous
weather of its habitat, the face is thickly covered
with hair to the end of the muzzle. The tail is very
short, and exhales a very disagreeable smell of musk,

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302

THE MUSK-OX.

with which the liesh of the animal is also iinpron--
nated.

" This quaint-looking animal is only to be met witli
in the high northern latitudes of America. Some liavc
■ asserted that it is also to be found in Arctic Sjltciiii:
but it seems probal)le that this is erroneous, Tlic mis-
take is most likely attributable to the fact that scxcral
skeletons of the animal have been carried by ieelier^s
which have drifted westward from our own northern
coasts, and have been deposited on the shores of
Siberia.

" The musk-ox is an active animal. Its leus arc
short ; but, notwithstanding this, it can run witli great
swiftness, and can clamber among rocks and hills with
ease. Sir John Kichardson, describing it, says : —

" ' One pursued on the Coppermine River scali'd a
lofty sand-clifi', having so great a declivity that wc
were obliufed to crawl on hands and knees to follow it.
These oxen assemble in herds of from twenty to thirty
about the end c^" August or beginning of Septemlicr.
The females brino; forth a sino^le calf about the end of
May or beginning of June. Heme, from the circniu-
stance of few bulls being seen, supposes that they
kill each other for the cows. If the hunters keep
themselves concealed when they fire upon a herd
of musk-oxen, the poor animals mistake the noise for
thunder, and crowd nearer and nearer to each other as
their companions fall around them ; but should they
discover their enemies by sight, or by their sense of

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PIERRE'S ADVENTURE.

303

smell, which is very acute, the whole herd seek for
safety by instant flight. The hulls, however, are very
irascible, and, pjirticularly when wounded, will often
attack the liunter and endanger his life, unless he pos-
sesses both activity and presence of mind. The
Eskimos, who are well accustomed to the pursuit of
this animal, sometimes turn its irritable disposition to
j^ood account ; for an expert hunter having provoked a
bull to attack him, wheels round more quickly than it
can turn, and ^ y repeated stabs in the belly puts an
end to its life.' "

"Had you ever an encounter with one, Pierre?"
asked Gaultier.

" I have had a good many," answered the latter
smiling ; " and I will tell you of an adventure which
befell me some years since when pursuing a band of
these animals. At that time I was stationed at Fort
Reliance, which is to the east of Eastern Slave Lake.

" A party of us went out for the purpose of procur-
ing a supply of fresh meat, as the stock at the fort was
becominsf exhausted. Musk-oxen had been seen a few
days before, and we took the direction in which they
were supposed to have gone. After a very fatiguing
IP-arch through rugged valleys, and over stony, sterile
plateaux, where the vegetation consisted chiefly of the
tripe de roche and a few stunted willows in the bottoms,
we suddenly came upon the musk-sheep in a little
sheltered valley where some dwarf willows surrounded
a large pool.

:ii

304

MUSK-OX CHASE.

" Unfortunately, just as we rose over the crest of the
hill the band saw us, and immediately took to flight,
racing up the steep sides of the valley Avith extraor-
dinary swiftness. One of the herd, a large ' l)ull; for
a moment was brought to a stand by an almost per-
pendicular rock, from which he slipped back on
attempting to scale its slippery sides. The distance
which divided us was about two hundred and fifty
yards. I therefore raised my rifle, and at the report
the animal seemed to stagger, but recovered hiinsulf
immediately, and disappeared behind some projecting
rocks. My companions were meanwhile engaged with
other members of the herd, as I could hear distant
shots. I lost no time in gaining the place at which I
had seen the musk-ox disappear, and to my surprise I
discovered a passage leading through the rocks, and
issuing at the other end in another small valley similar
to that I had left. I looked eagerly round in quest of
my game, and presently espied him making the best of
his way among some boulders towards the top of the
ridge which hemmed in the valley. I immediately
gave chase, as I perceived that the animal was evi-
dently wounded, and here and there on the stones I
observed that the trail was marked with blood. I
therefore held on, and I soon found that I was over-
hauling the beast, which now walked more slowly and
occasionally stopped altogether. When I got witliin
about three hundred 3'ards, he seemed to be aware, for
the first time, that I was following him. He attempted

BUTTED AND POUNDED.

305

to go on more quickly ; but probably finding this in-
convenient, he turned aside among some immense
rocks, which seemed to have rolled down from the
surrounding heights, and was lost to view. Thinking
tliat I now was certain of him, I ran forward with
increased eagerness and soon reached the rocks. Just
as I was about to turn the corner of a huge boulder,
the musk-ox, which must have been lying in wait for
me, suddenly charged with such ferocity that before I
could raise my rifle it was dashed from my hands, and
I was myself knocked backv ards with great violence
among the rocks. The infuriated beast butted at me
with his huge horns as I lay on the ground, and several
times pounded me beneath his hoofs. Two or three
times I attempted to rise, but was as often knocked
clown again.

" I almost gave myself up for lost, when, looking
round for some place of refuge, I suddenly noticed a
recess close to me into which I might squeeze myself.
Taking advantage of a stumble made by my adversary,
I sprang into the friendly nook; and as I did so I heard,
just behind, the hollow crash of the musk-ox's horns as
he came in violent collision with the rocks. I was now
safe for the present at any rate. My savage jailer
glowered at me from under the penthouse of his shaggy
brows, enraofed at beim; cheated of his victim. The
recess in which I had taken refufje was a cleft in an
immense rock, and looking upward I could see the sky.
I now thought that I might scramble to the top by

306

Fit A NT I a EFFORTS.

working with my arms and Iol^s against the sides of
the cleft, just as a sweep ascends a chinniey ; hut I was
so much shaken and bruised from the pcjmmellin"- 1
had received that I was liardly equal to the task. At
length, however, I stood upon the sunnnit, wliich Avas
fully twenty feet above the ground below. I was now
much amused to observe the rage into which my escape
liad thrown the musk-ox. He plunged round below.
making frantic efforts to spring up the rock ; and find-
ing this impossible, he seemed to challenge nie to
descend, by making threatening motions with liis head
and feet and then glaring savagely at me. T soon
began to wish the affair ended. I had no weaiion,
except my rifle, and that lay among the stones at the
foot of the boulder, and directly in front of my enemy.
To resjain it before being again assailed would be iui-
possible.

" On crawling to the very verge of the rock, I saw
the rifle underneath. Fortunately, it seemed to have
met with no injury, and was favourably placed for
recovery, if I had anything long enough to reach it.
On searching my pockets I found some deer-hide
thongs ; but on attaching them together I found tliey
would only reach half-way. I therefore sacrificed a
moccasin, and with the strips of hide thus obtained I
fashioned a kind of lasso, furnished at one end with a

running noose.

" After several fruitless attempts, which were re-
garded by my friend below as a covert attack on him-

1 i'

A PALL liETWEEN THE EYES.

307

self, I had the satisfaction of seeing* the noose settle
round the barrel of the ritie, and on carefully tighten-
ing the string I hauled up the gun.

" When the nuisk-ox saw tliis mana'uvre he changed
the rifle as it swung clear of the ground, and might
have seriously damaged it had I not quickly pulled it
out of his reach. He hit the rock with great force,
and staggered back from the effects of the concussion.
I was now, of course, extricated from my predicament.
The ox looked up at me, as much as to say, ' You had
better come down,' when he was met with a ball
between the eyes, which turned him upside down on
the spot. I then clambered down from my perch and
butchered the brute. As I said, I don't care nuich for
musk-ox in general, but I did eat that fellow with a
kind of relish,"

" That wur likely, you bet !" exclaimed Jake. " This
niggur hev chawed varmints wi' double the pleasure
arter bein' nigh done fur by 'em."

" Come, Gaultier," said Pierre, " tell us about your
first fire-hunt. 1 don't think you ever told Jake
about it."

Gaultier laughed and complied readily.

" It is only fair," he said, " that I should contribute
my share to the general amusement, althongh my
adventure was not so thrilling as those with which
Jake regales us ; nor even as yours with the musk-ox,
Pierre.

" I was staying with a friend some years since," he

(780) 20

308

GAULTIER'S ADVENTURE.

continued, "near ilio Upper Ottawa, wliieli wns tlicn a
first-rate place for deer. We decided one nii^ht that
we would have a fire-hunt, an a relative of my friend's
was coming from Ottawa on a visit, and my host was
anxious to have a fine fat buck to help the entertain-
ment.

" The night was very favourable — that is, it was as
dark as a wolf's mouth — and after supper we left the
house, and having provided ourselves with a bag of
pitch-pine knots and an old frying-pan, we got into a
canoe and dropped quietly down the river. Theic;
were few settlers in those days round my friend's
neighbourhood ; but among the few who had found
their way up there, was an old gentleman who had
formerly been an officer in the French army. I had
often heard of him, and from all accounts he was a
queer old fellow. His house stood very near the river,
but divided from it by some brushwood, through wliicli
grew a few tall trees. All these particulars I learned
afterwards. Well, we put up our birch-bark screen so as
to intervene betAveen us and the light of the blazing
fire-pan, and, crouching behind its shadow, we keenly
scrutinized the bank of the river, expecting each mo-
ment to catch the gleam of an eye peering at us from .
among the foliage.

"We had not proceeded far when my friend drew I
my attention to a bright, glistening object, apparently
at the verge of the water. ' It's a deer,' he whispered ;|
' take a good aim, and be sure you drop him.' Follow-

DRAWING A BEAD ON A PARLOUR WINDOW.

309

ing the direction of his finger, I observed the glittering
orl), and T immediately drew a bead upon it with my
rifle. At the report the eye disappeared. On landing
we discovered the animal, which was a fine buck, lying
dead on the ground, shot through the brain. We threw
him into the boat and continued our voyage. The next
shot fell to my companion's lot, and as he was an old
hand at this game ho brought down a large doe ; but
we regretted this circumstance, as we found she was
accompanied by her fawns. However, there was no
help for it, so we placed her in the boat and again
dropped down the river. You may ask why it was
that we did not return now that we had got two deer.
But I believe hunters are never satisfied ; and, besides,
there was something so fascinating in this sport that I
said nothing, and was ready to assist my friend in any
amount of slaughter.

" I was eagerly on the outlook for the reflection from
another eye, and scanned the shore closely. Several
times I was about to fire, but was prevented from wast-
ing my shot by my more experienced companion. At
length an unmistakable eye presented itself ; the colour
was the same, and the same steady stare too. I raised
my rifle, and as I did so I thought I heard my friend
say something; but I did not wait to hear what. I
pulled the trigger, and along with the report I thought
I heard an unusual noise — something very like the
crashing of glass. My friend was in fits of inex-
tinguishable laughter. 'What have you done?' he

310

THE OLD COLONEL'S RAGE.

cried; 'you've smashed old 's ' (naming' his m'V^\\-

bour) ' parlour window, as I'm a sinner !' At this mo-
ment a tall figure in white appeared in front of the
house, which I ( juld now dimly discern throu'-h the
bushes, jind came running towards us.

" ' Here he is himself! pull for your life!' exclainie<l
my conu'ade; and instantly he capsized the pan of blaz-
ing knots into the water and seized his paddle. A few-
strokes placed us under the shadow of the opposite
bank, from which we could hear the old Frencliuuui
venting his rage in all manner of strange words, and
threatening vengeance against us. An unlucky laugh
on the part of my friend revealed our whereabouts,
when instantly the irascible old colonel discharged his
smooth-bore at us, the charge rattling about our ears,
but fortunately without doing us any injury. As we
gave no sign, he soon took himself off to bed, from
which he had evidently sprung on hearing the shot
followed by the smashini? of his Mass.

" We were glad to be out of the scrape so easily, and
we paddled homewards the moment we heard him bang
his door behind him."

The party now began to yawn and stretch — evidences
of fatigue. They therefore heaped the fire with fresh
fagots, and bestowed themselves in the most comfort-
able postures which their ingenuity could suggest.
Shortly, sounds indicative of profound repose alone
disturbed the silence, if we except the deep murmur ol'
the river or the wail of the wind through the tree-tops.

i;i;:ti ;

BOUND FOR FORT VERMILION.

311

AltlionjT^h our hunters could sliop soundly tlioy pos-
sessed the faculty of waking at pleasure, and were
hal)itually early risers. The sun, therefore, had not
yet thrown his heauis up the troad bosom of the Peace
wdien they were astir and preparing for their de-
parture. A canopy of Heecy vapour hung ahove the
course of the river, and from behind its opa(iue wreaths
could be heard the quavering cry of the loon, tho
quacking of ducks, and the gabble of geese. A breeze
soon sprang up and cleared away the fog, revealing the
riocks of waterfowl, as well as the heads of several
beavers that were swimmhig at a little distance. At
the appearance of the hunters the beavers dived, and
the geese and ducks, with harsh cries, rose into the air
and disappeai'ed beyond the trees.

The distance still to be traversed before reaching
Fort Vermilion was nearly two hundred miles ; but
the river was slow and deep, and the labour of paddling
the canoe was trivial. The party therefore addressed
themselves to their work with light hearts, and the
graceful little boat flew up-stream, impelled by the
sinewy strokes of their practised arms.

For some days they paddled onward, halting only
for their meals and for the night. Game was plentiful
along the banks of the river ; they frequently saw
moose dash away into the woods, and on every hill-
side bears of several kinds seemed busil}'' engaged in
grubbing for roots. Wildfowl, in countless numbers,
streamed ofl* the water at the approach of the canoe.

312

THE REINDEER AND THE BUFFALO.

and filed away to other haunts to seek refun-e from
man's intrusion.

On the north-west and south-west shores of Lake
Athabasca the wood buffalo and the moose are still
tolerably numerous, and furnish the staple of subsist-
ence to the employes at the Fur Company's forts, as
well as to the natives of these districts. To the north
of the Peace is the true home of the reindeer. Some
twenty or thirty miles north of Fort Vermilion lies the
range of the Reindeer Hills ; and from their summits,
some fifty miles to the south, beyond the Peace
River, stretching from east to west, may be seen the
Buffalo Mountains. These two chains may almost be
said to form the geographical lindts of the animals
whose names they bear. Of the reindeer and the
bufialo Colonel Butler says : —

" It is singular how closely the habits of those two
widely differing animals approximate to each other.
Each have their treeless prairie, but seek the woods in
winter ; each have their woodland species ; each separate
when the time comes to bring forth their young ; each
mass together in their annual migrations. Upon both
the wild man preys in unending hostility. When the
long days of the Arctic summer begin to shine over the
wild region of the Barren Groinids, the reindeer set
forth for the low shores of the Northern Ocean ; in the
lonely wilds, whose shores look out upon the archi-
pelago where once the ships of England's explorers
struggled midst floe and pack and hopeless iceberg, the

ANNUAL MIGRATIONS.

313

herds spend the summer season subsisting on the short
grass which in a few weeks changes these cold gray
sliores to softer green.

" With the approach of autuum the bands turn south
again, and, uniting upon the borders of chc Barren
Grounds, spend the winter in the forests wliich fringe
the shores of the Bear, Great Shive, and Atliabasca
Lakes. Thousands are killed by the Indians on this
homeward journey ; waylaid in the passes which tliey
usually follow, they fall easy prey to Dog-rib, and
Yellow-knife, and Chepewyan hunter ; and in years of
plenty the forts of the extreme north count by thou-
sands the fat sides of cariboo piled high in their pro-
vision stores."

It will therefore be evident how important a place
these two animals hold in the domestic economy of the
inhabitants of these untilled solitudes. White man
and Redskin alike depend upon them for their daily
food ; and in seasons when from any cause the buffalo
is too far south on the plains, or the reindeer does not
appear at the usual season, famine stares each one in
the face, unless goose and duck, whitefish and salmon,
have been secured in extraordinary numbers to meet
the deficiency.

|::i

CHAPTER XXJ.

JAKE FOLLOWED BY A BEAR— AN AFFRAY— JAKE COMES TO GAULTIER's ASSTST-
ANCE— HE RIUES THE BEAR OUT OF CAMP AND KILLS HIM — PIERRE'S
ACCOUNT OF TIIo BROWN BEAR— WOLVES AT THE CARCASS — JAKE'S HATRED
OF WOLVES, AND ITS REASON— HIS THRILLING STORY OF ESCAPE FROM A
PACK OF WOLVES — THE ERMINE WEASEL— THE PINE MARTEN — A CANOE AND
TWO VOYAGEURS— REACH VERMILION — DUNVEOAN— TAKE LEAVE OF OUR
TRAPPERS.

One evening our hunters landed as usual to camp for
the night. The spot which they had chosen was at
the foot of a slight eminence which sloped back from
the river, and was covered with dwarf cedars. Plenty
of dry drift timber lay piled along the banks, and
afforded an unlimited supply of fuel. This circum-
stance formed their chief reason for selecting this par-
ticular spot.

Jake left his young friends busied at the fire, and
shouldering Plumcentre directed his steps towards the
crest of the rising ground, saying that he " mout hev
a chance o' throwin' a lump o' lead into some var-
mint.

He had not been absent for more than a few minutes
when the report of his rifle was heard ; and almost im-
mediately afterwards the cid h, inter appeared on the

'A BEAR! A BEAR 1"

315

.tier's assist-
iim — pierre's
^ke's hatred

iCAPE FROM A
-A CANOE AND
EAVE OF OUR

D camp for
en was at
back from
s. Plenty
)anks, and
is circum-
f this par-

le fire, and

Dwards the

'mout hev

some var-

3W minutes

ahnost im-

,red on the

top of the slope running towards the camp as fast as
his long lean legs could carry him.

As he came he shouted, " A bar ! a b'ar ! Git yer
shootin'-sticks ; he's arter me ! " And in truth the
young men at that moment observed a bear of the
brown variety appear in hot pursuit, lumbering after
the trapper at a kind of cow gallop. Jake no sooner
reached the camp than he placed himself in rear of his
comrades, when he used the utmost despatch in the
loading of his rifle.

Meanwhile the bear, on seeing three enemies where
he had only looked for one, came to a halt, and seemed
to be considering the situation. His uncertainty, how-
ever, was soon dispelled, for he came forward uttering
savage growls, but again halted when only some thirty
yards distant. At this instant Pierre and Gaultier
levelled their rifles and fired. Before they could see
the effects of the shots the bear was in their midst, and
with a loud snarling roar seized Gaultier in his deadly
embrace !

The young trapper's rifle was dashed from his hands,
and he himself thrown to the ground, while the in-
furiated beast attempted to seize his face in his mouth !
Throwing down his rifle, which he was afraid to use,
so confused were the motions of the bear and its strug-
gling victim, old Jake drew his shining bowie, and
leaping forward got astride of the bear, and fastening
one hand in its shaggy hair, drove his sharp knife home
repeatedly with the other. The maddened anhnal

!t-* . H

31fi

A TERRIBLE ENCOUNTER.

turned on its new aggressor; but old Jake kept his
seat despite its utmost efforts to dislodge him. Blood
poured in streams from the wounds inflicted by the
hunter's blade, and dyed the ground at the scene of the
struggle.

While the bear's attention was centred in old Jake,
Gaultier scrambled from underneath the animal's legs ;
but overcome by a sudden faintness he reeled forward,
and would have fallen had not Pierre caught him in
his arms.

Finding that he was getting the worst of the en-
counter, the bear now made an effort to escape ; but
Jake stuck to his seat manfully, and fairly rode the
terrified animal off the ground, stabbing him as he
went. For fully fifty yards did the wretched beast
survive to carry his fatal rider. At length the trapper's
knife, directed with more judgment, found a vital spot,
and the bear fell dead.

Jake immediately returned to the spot where Pierre
sat supporting Gaultier. He procured some water from
the river, and bathed the face and temples of the young
hunter, who soon regained his consciousness. An ex-
amination showed that he had suffered no injury of a
serious nature. As soon as his comrades were relieved
of any anxiety on this score, they proceeded to examine
the dead animal. The carcass was covered with blood,
which still trickled from not less than fifty wounds,
inflicted by the old trapper's knife. The hide was
valueless ; but old Jake observed, " The varmint's hams

]

THE BROWN BEAR.

317

e kept his
im. Blood
ted by the
icenc of the

n old Jake,
imal's legs;
ed forward,
isxht him in

of the en-
escape ; but
■ly rode the

him as he
itched beast
bhe trapper's
a vital spot,

;vhere Pierre
3 water from
of the young
ess. An ex-
injury of a
,vere relieved
d to examine
d with blood,
fifty wounds,
'he hide was
irraint's hams

ur worth takin';" and he accordingly proceeded to secure
them. Having accomplished this task, they returned
to the fire, and eagerly discussed the adventure.

" Jest as I topped the rise," said Jake, " I seed the
varmint down below at the other side. Thur wur
plenty o' cover, an' so I slouched along, keepin' well
out o' view till I jedged I'd got far enufF. I put up
Plumcentre, an' let drive at the b'ar's skull so as the
ball 'd range across fur the off eye. But jest as I pulled
the trigger the b'ar moved his head, an' I med a bad
shot. I hedn't time to wink when he swung: round an'
kem at me, an' as I knew I'd reach camp afore he cud
come to grips, I thort I'd git ye to help me. That's
how I brought the varmint arter me."

This incident afforded Pierre an opportunity of giving
a short account of the brown bear {Ursus ardos), whose
habits are substantially the same as those of others of
the tribe. We will therefore only remark that this
animal flies contact with man (except when attacked
and wounded), and frequents the wildest and most
inaccessible regions. It dwells in caverns, clefts in the
rocks, or in such hollow logs as it finds scattered through
the virgin forest. It sometimes even excavates a hole
for itself in which to pass the winter. During this
season, in common with its kindred, it passes a con-
siderable time in a state of torpidity. In proportion to
its size the eyes are small ; but whatever disadvantage
might arise from this circumstance is counterbalanced
by the acuteness of its nose and of its ears. The hide

318

FIGHTING FOR SUPPER.

is tough, and is of considerable thickness, and is covered
with a dense coat of hair. From a study of the teeth
it might he supposed that the diet of the brown bear,
as indeed of the other varieties also, consists chiefly of
vegetable substances. But the fact is that they are
indifferently either carnivorous or frugivorous. When
attacked, these animals defend themselves in an up-
right position, giving terrible blows with their power-
ful fore arms. When the bear emerges from his winter
quarters he is at first in capital condition ; but a few days'
exposure to the air reduces him to the merest skeleton.

It has been observed that if the bear removes the
litter which he had provided during the previous winter,
he intends to re-ocoupy the same quarters; on the other
hand, if he allows it to remain, it is an indication of his
intention not to return.

While Pierre was making these remarks, both Jake
and Gaultier were busying themselves in getting supper
ready — a task which had been so unceremoniously in-
terrupted. Night soon descended on the scene, and
under its shadow the wolves, whose distant howls had
been heard for a little time, approached, and fought
over the carcass of the bear. In the dim lio-ht their
fleeting forms were faintly discernible, and the hunters
took advantage of their boldness to approach a little
nearer. A united volley stretched three of their num-
ber dead upon the ground, much to old Jake's delight,
as he nourished a grudge against the whole tribe which
seemed incapable of being satiated.

ADVENTURE WITH WOLVES.

319

is covered
the teeth
Dwn bear,
chiefly of
they are
IS. When
in an up-
eir power-
his winter
J, few days'
t skeleton,
imoves the
ous winter,
Q the other
3,tion of his

both Jake
ting supper
)niously in-

scene, and

howls had
and fought

licrht their
the hunters
)ach a little

their num-
ke's delight,

tribe which

{

He begged to be allowed to skin the wolves which
had fallen to the rifles of his comrades.

" It does this niggur good," he said, " to rise the pelts
ofl" the varmints — thur sich sneakin' thieves, an' hev
played me a purty trick afore now. I reckin though
they hain't made much out o' rubbin' up this child's fur
the wrong way."

" What did they do to you, Jake ? " asked Gaultier.

" What did they do ! " cried the old trapper as he
forced the skin from the back of one of the wolves, the
beast's body lying across his legs, which were stained
with its blood. " This is what the skunks did, an' I
guess 'twur enough to make me hate 'em as long as I
live."

Here Jake paused, and after mumbling and mutter-
ing a little, proceeded : —

" I wur camped upon a peraira near Clerk's Fork o*
the Yallerstone," he began, "an' hed good times, I
reckin. Thur wur a sight o' game ; an' this niggur, you
bet, wur thick fat wi' dint o' the best eatin' in the
mountains. I hed to keep my eyes skinned though,
fur Injun sign wur plenty, an' from the heights I one
day seed three smokes, o' coorse risin' from as many
Injun fires. They wur a long way off" though, I reckin ;
but still I knew the skunks 'd not be long in huntin'
me out ef once they got my trail. I wa'n't a-gwine to
clur out o' sich diggin's anyway, ef I knew it ; an' so I
took chance, an' stayed. Wal, as it turned out, 'twurn't
the Redskins, arter all, as kem near sendin' this coon

320

A FRIGHTFUL It ACE.

under — 'twur wolves as did that. I hed been out arter
sheep in the mountains, an' hed got one thunderin' fine
ram. I cut up tlie critter, an' threw him on my old
mustang's back, an' sot out fur camp.

" 'Twur jest about nightfall when I clomb up to my
saddle, an' as the way wur longish I let the old mar'
know as 'twur best to be steppin' out. I hed tied up
the mutton wi' strips o' hide, an' somehow one o' the
pieces hed got loose, an', unknownst to me, wur draggin'
arter the boss along the ground. That wur the sarcum-
stance as fetched the wolves.

" Wal, from time to time I thort I heerd a whimperin'
an' a yowltin' behint ; but 'twurn't much, an' o' coorse
I'd heerd the same every night, as the wolves chased
the deer or the rabbits, an' so I never minded it. By'n-
by, however, I guess I nunded it. 'Twurn't long until
the n'ize got louder, an' kem nearer, an' all o' a suddint
thur wur a yowl out o' a hunderd throats close behint,
an' at that the old mar' put out like all creation.
Boyees, I guess this coon has knowed what goin' means
now an' agin, but it wa'n't nothin' to this.

" Rocks an' trees passed like a whiz, an' the very
stars 'peared stretched out like ropes o' light along the
t:ky as I ripped along under 'em. 'Twur main bad
ridin' too, I kin tell yer. Thur wur steep places whur
the old critter hed to jump down five or six feet at a
time ; an' at that the lumps o' mutton 'd whammel agin
this child's back, an' once I wur struck on the head,
an' as near as cud 'a be pitched out o' the saddle. I

OVER THE BLUFF I

321

out arter
dcrin' fine
)n my old

up to my
3 old mar'
3d tied up
one o' the
ur draggin'
he sarcum-

whimperin'
in' o' coorse
Ives chased
d it. By'n-
) long until
o' a suddint
;lose behint,
ill creation,
goin' means

,n' the very
it along the
ir main bad
places whur
;ix feet at a
hammel agin
on the head,
le saddle. I

held on though, you bet. All this time the wolves wur
hard behint us. I cud hear the fierce whimperin' o' the
critters ; but I guess the speed wur too great fur 'em to
waste thur breath in reg'lar cry like hounds. 'Twur a
silent, detarmined race fur life or death, an' the varmints
did all they knew to overtake us. I soon found out
that wi' the weight o' the mutton an' o' m'self the mar'
cudn't hold out much longer. I cud hear the poor
thing breath in' thicker an' thicker ; an' as cfften as the
wolves 'd give a yelp I'd feel her shake like a le^f, an'
then she'd put on a trifle more speed ; but 'd lose it agin
in a minute. The wolves knew this as well as I did,
fur they began agin to yowl ; an' I now seed two o' 'em,
one on each side, lopin' along wi' thur tongues out, an'
the hot steam risin' like a fog out o' thur mouths. I
began to give in 'twur time fur this child to go under.
But one clings to life all the same, an' so I laid my
quirt into the mar', an' even pricked her on wi' the
p'int o' my knife. The poor critter wur near played
out, an' already the wolves wur crowded around, when
all at once what shud I see right under the boss's nose
but the edge o' a bluff wi' a river five hundred foot
below ! Thur wur a few pines hangin' everywhich way
over the edge; but I hedn't time to wink when the
mar' arruv on the brink, an' went over ! I've felt some
considerable in my time, but never anything ekal to
that. As the mar' went over, fur she cudn't stop her-
self in time, she gev an unairthly screech — sich a
screech as I hope I'll never hear agin. It rang in my

328

ALMOST DEVOURED.

ears fur many a day, an' tlie sound o' it hain't left 'em

yit!

" Jest as she wur gwine over 1 threw myself off, an'
fell so clost to the edge o' tlie bluff' that my legs hung
over as I turned a somersault upon the ground wi'
the toss I got. I hedn't time to cry mercy when I wur
surrounded wi' wolves, thur teeth gleamin' an' eyes
shinin' like coals o' fire in thur heads. I med through
'em wi' my bowie, an' lucky it wur, I reckin, fur this
coon that thur wur a few o' them pinons growin' on
the bluff, or he'd never 'a knowed what to-morrow wur
like. I clawed up into a pine, an' ef thur hedn't been
a wolf nearer 'n Jerusalem that climb 'ud 'a been danger-
some enuff The tree wa'n't a big un, an' it leant out
over the barranca, so that when I got squatted at last,
my legs wur swingin' above the river five hunderd foot
below !

" 0' coorse I'd lost my rifle — that bed bust off my
back wdien I fell, an' w^ur lyin' somewheres along the
top o' the bluff; but I hed my pistols, an' I kep' loadin'
an' firin' wi' them till I'd throwed a good wheen o' the
wolves. Torst morning, seein' as they wurn't likely to
make a * raise ' by the spec'lation, the br.nd took thur-
selves off, arter chawin' up every one o' the lot I'd
killed.

"That's thur style, I reckin. Anyhow I got clur
m'self ; but fur the fright an' the loss o' my mar' I hev
med the varmints pay dear since. Nary a wolf comes
'ithin reach o' Plumcentre 'ithout gettin' a lump o' lead ;

[

IN HI an sprnrrs.

323

[I't left 'em

iclf oif, an'
legs hung
nrround wi'
vlien I wur
n' an' eyes
ed through
in, fur this
o-rowin' on
norrow wur
hedn't been
)een danger-
it leant out
bted at last,
lunderd foot

bust off my
2S along the

kep' loadin
wheen o' the
m't likely to
i took thur-

the lot I'd

vv I got clur
ly mar' I hev
a wolf comes
lump o' lead ;

an' I l)leove that leetle gun remembers that night as
well as I do, an' ud go herself at the skunks oven ef
thur wn'n't no old Jake Hawken behint her to pull tlio

trigger.

Here the hunter ended liis narrative.

The remainder of the night was devoted to repose,
and it was wull on towards noon the next day when
tjie hunters left the camp and continued their journey.

We do not propose to chronicle all the adventures
which befell our travellers on their way to Fort Ver-
milion. They had several exciting encounters with
bears, which, however, uniformly ended in a victory
for the trappers ; and once or twice they narrowly
escaped having their canoe dashed to pieces against
floating logs, Dornc downwards by the current. These
were the ordinary incidents of travel, and as they re-
sembled in all respects similar occurrences already
described, there is little use in detailing them for the
reader.

The success which had attended their hunt even thus
early, and the unlooked-for good fortune which made
them heirs to the valuable stock of furs secreted in the
cave by the Indian whose tragic end old Jake had wit-
nessed, rendered our trappers careless of prosecuting
their journey for the present beyond Fort Vermilion.

That post was now but one hundred miles distant,
and each day the hunters felt that their protracted
journey came nearer and nearer to its termination.

They were therefore in high spirits, and looked for-

(78C) 21

tW.r-T ii.

324

THE ERMINE WEASEL.

W'l

ward lO a rest from i\\v tedium of tlieir journey, or
rather to a cliange of their soincwliat nionotunous
routine.

One evening, while seated by the camp fire, tlu;
hunters observed a small animal stealing along by the
edge of some brushwood not far from the river bank.
At first, owing to the grass being somewhat high, they
were unable to recognize the creature ; but presently it
came directly into view, and they at once perceived it
to be an ermine weasel.

It was evidently in pursuit of some small quadruped
or bird, as it ran the scent with eagerness, sometimes
stopping for a moment as if uncertain, and again
running forward with swift, stealthy steps. The trap-
pers had hardly made these observations when it
suddenly sprang forward, and at the same instant
several grouse rose with a whirring noise and disap-
peared behind the woods, leaving one of their number
struggling and fluttering in the clutches of the ermine.
The fierce little animal soon ended the contest by
crunching the bird's head between his sharp teeth ; and
he was just about to drag the body into the bushes,
when Jake ran up and secured the bird as a titbit for
liis supper. The weasel looked as if half inclined to
fight ; but on second thoughts he took to his heels, and
vanished in some lono- grass.

" I think," said Gaultier, " that those little fellows
change their coats in winter. What does your red
book say about them, Pierre ?"

THE PINK MMtrKN.

.3-25

jouvncy, ov
nionotuiious

lip five, the
riloiif,' l»y tlio

liver bank.
ifc high, they
) presently it

perceived it

.11 quadruped
ss, sometimes
II, and again
4. The trap-
ons when it
same instant
ic and disap-
tbeir number
of the ermine,
le contest by
Lrp teeth ; and
to the bushes,
as a titbit for
df inclined to
, his heels, and

J little fellows
does your red

Tlie latter produced his volume and read the few
notes he had made.

"The ermine {Mastela crminea)" said he, "closely
resembles the connnon woasol, and is, in fact, relati'd to
it. It attains the length of altc)ut nine inches ; but this
measurement does not include the tail. As you can
now see (from the specimen you have before you), its
colour at this time of the year is a beautiful brown on
the upper parts, and below is a yellowish white, the
tail being terminated by a black tuft.

" While thus coloured it is called a roselet. At the
approach of winter this coat gives place to another of
pure white ; but the black tip of the tail remains un-
altered. It is a common animal in the northern dis-
tricts of both Europe and America, and is of course
very destructive to small quadrupeds as well as to most
birds. Were its coat to retain its summer hue during
the winter, the ermine would certainly starve to death,
as its colour would be too noticeable to allow it to
surprise its prey on the spotless white of the snow.
In addition to this, it has been remarked that its white
fur enables it to maintain a more equable temperature
during the severe cold of the Arctic winter than if it
were furnished vv'ith a darker covering.

" The ermines are also allied to another animal, which
indeed forms a member of the same group. This is the
pine marten (Maries ahietum); so called from being
supposed to eat the seeds of the pine cones. Its diet,
however, is not so innocuous, as it devours squirrels,

musses

¥'

,1 ■;

326

THE PINE MARTEN.

birds, rats, mice, and also eggs whenever it can find
them. In size it is miicli larger than the last-mentioned
animal, and its general colour is yellowish, dashed or
blended here nnd there with a blackish tint ; the tail is
long, well feathered, and pointcil. It is by no means
unusual to find some individuals whose fur varies some-
what from the general rule both in colour and fineness.

"As the animals and birds which furnish the pine
marten with its food frequent thick woods, it is 'Conse-
quently in these that it is most commonly found. It
robs the nests of the wild bees as dexterously as the
black bear himself, and will devour fish, insects, and
even reptiles readily. Squirrels often fall a prey to
this predatory beast, and their nests are frequently
appropriated by it.

" The pine marten, according to Audubon, produces
from four to seven young at a birth, and generally in
a hollow log, a hole under a rock, or in a burrow.

"The fur is of some value, but is inferior to that of
the sable marten. Sir John Richardson says : ' A par-
tridge's head with the feathers is the best bait for the
log traps in which this animal is taken. It does not
reject carrion, and often destroys the hoards of meat
and fish laid up by the natives, when they have acci-
dentally left a crevice by which it can enter.'

" When hard pressed, the marten can show fight much
after the fashion of a cat when attacked bv a do2: •
that is, it shows its teeth, erects its fur, arches its back,
and emits a hissing sound. When attacked by a dog

ARRIVAL AT FORT VERMILION.

327

it can find
-mentioned
, dashed or
; the tail is
r no means
k^aries somc-
nd fineness.
A\ the pine
, it is '^onse-
r found. It
usly as the
insects, and
1 a prey to
, frequently

on, produces
generally in
urrow.
or to that of
lys : ' A par-
bait for the
It does not
,vds of meat

y have acci-

>
sr.

iv fight much

[ by a dog:

jhes its back,

ved by a dog

it will seize the animal by the nose, and hold on with
such tenacity as frequently to drive the assailant from
the field. In some instances the marten has been
domesticated ; but it rarely or never becomes docile.

" I think now," said Pierre, " that is all of importance
which there is to tell concerning this animal."

While Pierre had been connnunicating these particu-
lars, his comrades had been busy with frying-pan and
kettle, and had prepared the evening meal.

They were about to partake of this when they
observed a canoe approaching them paddled by two
men, whom they sc on recognized as belonging to Fort
Pierre.

They soon brought the canoe to the bank, and joined
the trappers at their supper. They brought the sad
intelligence of Mr. Frazer's death. He hnd been utterly
cast down by the terrible event which deprived him of
his daughter, and had been wasting away day by day,
until he finally died two days before these voyageurs
had left the fort.

On the following morning the hunters nnd their new
allies left camp together and set out for Fort Vermilion.
The miles flew swiftly by, and just as evening descended
on the river the canoes rounded a bend, and the stock-
ades of the fort became visible at a little distance. In
a few minutes their long and toilsome journey was
over, and surrounded by a crowd of voyageurs and
half-breeds they vanished through the gateway of the
fort.

328

AT DUNVEGAN— FAREWELL.

They remained at this post until the shortening days
warned them to continue their journey before the ice
stopped the navigation of the Peace. They pushed
forward with the utmost despatch, and reached Dun-
vegan the very night a fierce cold sealed the river with
a three-inch crust of ice. Here they wintered, occupy-
ing themselves in trapping the beaver, the sable, and
the other valuable fur-bearing animals of the country.

At Dunvegan we take leave of our trappers with
feelings of regret that we shall no more share their
perils by flood and field, no more listen to the tale of
hairbreadth escape or wild adventure round the camp
fire.

If the young reader has h ,J. a love awakened or a
taste fostered for the beauties of God's creation by the
perusal of these pages, the object which the writer pro-
posed to himself has been attained.

THE END.

ening days

ore the ice

ley pushed

iched Dun-

j river with

:ed, oceupy-

3 sable, and

le country.

ippers with

share their

the tale of

d the camp

akened or a
ation by the
) writer pro-

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T. KELSON AND SONS, LONDON, EDINliUUGH, AND NEW YORK.

Eighteenpenny Books by Favourite Authors.

-M-

By the Author of "Copsley Annals."
Father's Coming Home. A Tale. Koyal 18mo.

1 he Power of Perseverance ; or, The Story of Reuben Inch,
With Colaircd Frontispiece and L'O llhiatrations. Koyal ISiiiu.

Under the Microscope; or, "Thou shalt call ^le My Father."'
With Col(jured Frontiapiece and 17 Engravings, lloyal 18nio.

By the Author of " Hope On."

Illustrations and Coloured Frontispieces. Ro\jal ISmo.

The Boy Artist; or, The Reward of rerseverance. A Tale.

Brother Reginald's Golden Secret.

The Fisherman's Children; ov, The Sunbeam of Ilardrick Cove.

King Jack of Haylands. A Tale of School Life.

Little Aggie's Fresh Snowdrops, and what They did in
One Day.

Susy's Flowers; or, "Blessed are the Merciful, for they shall
obtain Mercy."

By the Author of " Little Hazel."

The Crown of Glory; or, " Faithful unto Death." A Scottish
Story of Martyr Times. Post 8vo.

The Guiding Pillar. A Story of Humble Faith. Foolscap 8 vo.

Little Hazel, the King's Messenger. Post 8*vo.

Little Tnowdrop and her Golden Casket. Post Svo.

Under the Old Oaks ; or. Won by Love. Post Svo.

By Mrs. GEORGE CUPPLES.

The Adventures of Mark Willis. 45 Engravings. Royal 18mo.

Grandpapa's Keepsakes; or, Take Heed will Surely Speed.
With Coloured Frontispiece and Vignette, and 45 Engravings.
Royal 18mo.

Mamma's Stories about Domestic Pets. With numeroua
Engravings. Royal 18mo.

Talks with Uncle Richard about Wild Animals. With
numerous Engravings. Royal 18mo.

T. NELSON AND SONS, LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YOHK.

e Authors.

f Reuben Inch.

Koj'iil ISmo.

lo iMy Kather."
Koyal 18nio.

18mo.
c. A Tale.

f IlardrickCovc.

t They did in

, for they shall

,h." A Scottish

Foolscap 8vo.
o.

'ost 8vo.
8vo.

gs. Royal ISmo.

I vSurely Speed.
[ 45 Engravings.

With numerous

nimals. With

^D NEW YOHK,

Shilling Reward Books.

^ — .

Foolscap 8uo.

THE SEARCH* FOR FRANKLIN. With Kngravinjra from Designs by
the Artist, o( tliu Kxpcdition.

" Our boys cannot do better tlian read this narrivtivo ; It will nerve thcni,
we trust, to deeds of liigli moral ([ixYing."—Santildne.

THE ROCKET; <>r, TIk^ Story of the StcphenHons, Father and Sou.
liy 11. V. KNidii 1'. Illustrated.

" A capital little biography of a life all boys should be familiar with."—
S. S. ChroniiU:

" The c<lition before us contains an additional cliai)ter, In which tlio
author speaks of tlio recent .Stoplionson centenary, and tlic develnpnient of
tlie great work originated by tiie man who was once a poor lad." — i'mctkal
Teacher.

NO GAINS WITHOUT PAINS; or, The St. i-y of Samuel Budgett, the
Successful Mcrcliant. By II. C. K.nioht.

TRUTH AND ITS TRIUMPH ; or, Tlin Story of tlio Jowish Twins. By
Mrs. Sahah S. Bakeu, Author of " Tlio Children on tho I'lains."
A pretty domestic story.

TROTS' LETTERS TO HER DOLL. By Mary E. BuooMFlELn,
Author of " Daddy Dick."

Roijal 18mo. With Coloured Frontispieces.

LAURA'S IMPULSES ; or, Principle a Safer Guide than Feeling.
" It is a good book throughout."— C/n"tA<ia)i Aije.

LITTLE CROSSES ; or, " Lot Patience have her Perfect Work."

RHYMES FOR THE NURSERY. By Ann and Jane Taylor.

THE HARRINGTON GIRLS; or. Faith and Patience. By SoniY

W'.VTUUOP. .

"A smart tale such as girls will like."— .S. S. Chronicle.
KHTY'S KNITTING NEEDLES-THE ONE MOSS ROSE. By the Rev.

P. I?. POWEU.

GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN.

• BY THE AUTHOR OP "OOPSLEY ANNALS."

With illustrations and Coloured Frontispieces.
MATTY'S HUNGRY MISSIONARY BOX, and other Stories.
IT'S HIS WAY, and other Stories.
THE TWO WATCHES, and other Stories.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "HOPE ON."
HOPE ON ; or, The House that Jack Built.
MARTHA'S HOME ; and how the Sunshine came into It.

1\ NELSON AND SONS, LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK.

Prize Temperance Tales.

— ♦»

TnK UNiTEn KiNODOM Band 01' Hoi'K Union havinj,' ofTorcd PrizcH of

ONI'J llUNI>nKl) I'OUNJJS AND FIFTY FOUNDS

for tlio Beat Talcs lllustrativo of

Temperance in its Relation to the Young;,

tlio Adjudicators havi flelected the following inti^rosting stories for
imhlicatioii,

Thrif lire issued in a uniform Scries of handsome post octavo volumes,
at 'is. G(l. per volume.

Each Voluino contains sovcral illustrations and 400 papcs of interest-
inff roadiiifT. They can be confidently reconnncnded for tlicir i)urity
of tone and earnestness of jmrposo.

ONE HUNDRED POUNDS PRIZE TALES,
2Sth Thousand.
Frank Oldfleld; or, Lost and Found. By the Kcv. T. P.
Wilson, M.A. With Five Engravings.

llth Thousand.
Sought and Saved. By M. A. Taull, Autlior of "Tim's
Troubles." With Six Engravings.

FIFTY POUNDS PRIZE TALES.
2Gtk Thousand.
Tim's Troubles ; or, Tried and True. By M. A. Paull, Author
of " Willie's Choice." With Five Engi-avings.

10th Thousand.

Lionel Franklin's Victory. By E. Van Sommer. Witli Six

Engra\'ings.

SPECIAL PRIZE TALES.
5th Thousand.
Owen's Hobby; or, strength in Weakness. By Euier Bur-
leigh. With Six Engravings.

" The story is well told, and tlic incidents such as are met with in every-
day life, and pointedly drawn in vivid colours."— irccA.7(/ lieview,

5th Thousand.
Everyday Doings. By Hellena Riciiardsox. With Six En-
gravings.

" This is a capital story, in which the author has introduced much infor-
mation in a pleasant form." — Christian Commonwealth.

T. NELSON AND SONS, LONDON, EDINBURGH, AND NEW YORK.

LES.

fTorod Prizes of
DUNDS

ing stories for

octavo vohtmcs,

ipcs of interest-
[or their purity

:s.

c llcv. T. P.

lor of "Tim's

Paull, Autlior
Eli. With Six

f Elmer Bur-

tiet with in cvery-
Keview.

With Six En-
luced much infor-

D NEW YORK.