The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-10-31

have all the same greenish grey lichen-hung fl
trees draping their banks, and overhangng the
waters, their sombre hues varied by Occasona
bright patches of the hardwood trees; the sam'
, grey grand rocks, that have stood like motion
less sentnels, gazing for ages at their own imag'
in the waters beneath them the same little is
lands, with the set Of trees and rocks, tint
and cOlors, on smaller scale, and all pictur
esque, wild and solemn in the extreme
In one of the bends of this lake lived the old
Indian hunter, and l saw him ready to receive
and welcome me. The safe conduct Of his wife
and child, who had reached him tAe night be
fore, had opened his heart and he told me, in O
few words, that he was glad to see me, and would
do his best to show me sport-agood deal for an
Indian to say. The old fellow then led the way
to his habitation; not birch-bark wigwaIn,
with fire in the centre but comfortable four
room wooden-house. Tho room we entered was
well furnished; good breakfast was smoking
and potatoes From the ceiling hung long pie
ccs of moose fat undergoing the process of dry
ing. Seated by the stove, on a moose skinrobe,
was my fellow-trayeer of the day before
When entered she rose, and did ''the honors"
very gracefully. Fora second breakfast how
ever, was not inclined but Of course, was all
anxiety to get into the woods, and to work at
once. The two Indians, unfortunately, were
not stimulated with the same ardor. | knew it
was useless to attempt to hurry them, so sat by
and smoked my pipe. There was a consultation
held in their own language. The old man pro-
ceedod to wrap up in blanket tin pot, small
axe, and a few other necessaries said few
words to his wife, and shouldering bis bundle,
led the way out Of the house. The march was
/ in Indian Gle. The old man FIRST next-Jm
bringing up the rear
After time halt was made and was adj
mtted in the plans Of the campaign. OF course
gave an unconditional consent, and the march
was resumed in silence, and was soon lost in
antcipations of sport. Just as | was mentally
pulling trigger on the largest moose that eyes
ever bohed, was called to reality by the sud
den halt Of my leader. His bundle was off; and
very much after the manner of an elderly point
er, he was standing and examining some tracks
which to me only looked like those of the do.
mestc bullock Then it was "sartin" two
moose, COW aud calf just crossed the road. In
minute the bundles were laid in the bush, The
rifle out Of its case and was following the old
man, who was leaping the way at a rate that
promised very soon to distance at least one Of
the party.
1t really is wonderful thing tosoe good IN
dian 90 through the woods His foot FIRST feels,
then takes bold Of what Z trcalr OF his hand
is never laid on twig except TO bend Il noise
lcssly back Of you would insult an Indian, LET
twis hy back in his face n, lc follows you he
viii never forgive this.) The ground may be
bad 10 travel over; decayed stumps Of tsos be-
low thick bushes, tangled with a network Of
briar; but through this lie forces his way, with
out cracking branch or displaciag 4 stone ye,
his pace averages four miles an hour lie mott
ccs, too where the moose have browscl on the
green tips Of the bushes, where they have lain
down to roll, where they have rubbed their horns
against the trccs-nothing escapes him. On
reaching the top Of any Hill, MY leader stopped,
aud cautiously pccrcd round, before following
the track into the valley.
This time we were not destined to be success
full the moose had been startled, and were not
feeding as they went. After an hour-and-a-hali
of quick creeping, much to my disgust, | was
told we "had better 60 back To track sun very
high; sartin moose him, cross big lake, mile
further on Right about face, and back we
,,.,,,I w, roo .i,od tha ,,,;lo .roseo1 , po,r,,-
lake full of floating logs, safely landed. Oar
next idea was dinner; fire was lit the tea
boiled biscuit and pipe set us going again. A
two hours walk brought us to the edge Of the
"barrieurs." These are large tracks Of forest,
which have been at some former time laid waste
by fire; the underground has been entirely de-
stroycd; the larger trees are scorched andkilled,
but their chaTrcd skeletons, twisted into every
variety Of fantastic shape, still stand like mon
uments over their own graves. Boulders arc
met with here and there, and occasionally a
''cheveaux de frise" Of f,,lcn trees. Altogether
it is most desolate and wild scene.
We now proceeded to pitch our camp in
thick part Of The WOOD some hundred yards
from the edge Of the "barricurn This simple
operation over. the water found, the wood cut,
and the fire lighted, the sun had sunk below the
horizon, and It was time to begin and "call. -
This is, perhaps the NEST exciting manner OF
hunting, or rather, | should say, killing the
moose but, although very commonly practised,
think few real sportsnen can engage in it with
out some feelings Of compunction. The month
of0ctober is the moose pairing season 1t this
time, the bulls, in the full glory Of the wide
horns, range up and down the country without
resting till they find mate. In this condition
they are constantly on the watch for the plain
tive cry of the COW, as standing by some retired
lake, or in the depth Of some recdy swamp, she
seems 70 utter a lament upon her solitary estate.
The Indian hunter takes advantage Of this time;
and making roll of birch bark into the shape Of
a long straight horn, initiates the call Of the fc
male The moose in his excited condition IS
easily deceived The best spots for calling
are the low barriers; the proper time, moon
light night, without any wind Then the wild
call rings and echoes through the wooden hills
for miles-answered, in all probability, by deep
and distant roar; then comes the crashing Of
trees, as the moose, regardless Of any obstacle