The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-10-31

called up within tfty yards of him, and, if he
did, | would not believe him. Sometimes two
or even three, of these large animals come up al
once, and battle royal takes place in the wild
barrier before the excited looker-on.
An incident Of this kinds most ably described
in vol H. Of Frank Forrester's "Field Sports. y
But to return to my own case The night was
most favorable ! sat myself, rife in hand, at
the foot of an old 'xampike," or dead tree. Jim
climbed to the top Of ii; while the old man adj
vancing about tweniy yards, began to call but
that night all the bulls were either comfortably
mated, or were too cunning to be deceived by
our clumsy Imitation so that, after persevering
for some hours, Ireturned to camp, cold tired,
and considerably disg,lsted with the day S work,
hoping, however, better things for tomorrow
and, wrapping myself in my blanket gave my
self up to well-earned repose. The excessive
stiffness of the forest; the bright glare of the
fire. rejecting, as it did, upon the forms of my
two wild companions the novelty of my posi-
ton altogether, barely suficed to keep me
awake, until knocked the last ashes out of my
pipe; and with this action, went hunting in
the land Of dreams
When woke the next morning. il was raining
hard. The fire had been kept up by the more
wakeful Indians all night. Our simple break
fast was now ready.
Good morning Jim, shid I.
"Wet morning; sartin him very wet day"
was the reply, as he pushed before me plate of
birch bark, on which lay some salt moose meat
and potatoes, accompanied by mug of tea. ]
found, on enquiring the plan for the day was to
make our way to some barriers about seven
miles Off The guns were then looked TO, fresh
capped, anointed with morcurial ointment, and
returned to their cases. Ammunition was
placed in small waterproof pouch that was
fixed on my belt, and fitted well into the small
of my back. "lIis per ct etis," we made start
of t.
Ii would be tedious to describe through how
many streams and swamps we waded that day,
through how many woods we crept, on the banks
of how many silent lakes we called; it was all
without success. About four o'clock in the af-
ternoon | was stopped in my mechanical trot, by
the old man fineing himself down on a log, and
declaring himself tired out Right glad was
that had saved my reputation; many time
had been on the point of calling halt that day,
but my pride would not allow me- this was
small comfort, however, for want of sport We
were within mile from camp, wet through and
tired the second Of my three days was nearly
gone. Never did the mooscs head and horns
which | had so foadly pictured to myself as gTa-
cling the patornal walls at home seem more ideal
than at that moment
Starting again, We were carolessly crossing
small swamp with fen ftuntod furtrecs grow
ing up amongst the high grass, when great was
my delight to see the leading Indian suddenly
stoop down, mailing signs to me to do the same;
did so, and as well Us my wot-benumbed fin
gers would allow me, drew my rife from its wa
ter-proof case before this however, the excited
Indian had initiated the low cry Of a COW, and
saw an enormous brute rise up about so yards
in front Of me he was half hid by some little
bushes but stood with bis huge broad side to
us, his head stretched out to obtain our wind;
his antcrs were laid fiat on Lis back, altogether
giving uic the opportunity Of a splendid shot
In my excitement however, forgot my rifle
was sighted for 100 yards, and not making al
lowance for this circumstance in taking my aim,
thS bullet to my disgust, only struck his horn
as he turned to go cf fired the other barrel
and found altcrwari that had shot through the
Kidneys | loaded as wcll as | could again, for
it was now raining faster than ever and the ex-
cited Indians would hardly wait while did so.
Five minutes sharp running brought us in sight
Of our chase, about 70 yards from us; 50 making
a rest Of a tree, gave him one behind the shoul
der; he staggered on little way, and then lay
down in a small swamp. Needless of the shouts
of the Indians ran up to him without reoading,
when, to my surprise, he got up, his eyes blood
shot and glarng, blood dripping from bis mouth
and looking very wicked; leyelling my rife, ]
pulled away, but no explosion followed; the
powder was wet felt inan awkward position,
when Jim, running up with my smooth bore,
shot him through the heart; he toppled over
dead So fcll my first ball moose; lac was no
BE brute, standing over seventeen hands high,
and weighing about cwt., his antlerslarge, well
made, and good color. ] should be ashamed to
relate all The antics performed over the body
of my victim, 10 the erim delightof The Indians,
who 1t their I;pss, and proceeded to cut him up
in the most professional manner. returned TO
camp that night happy, and We had fresh moose
meat for supper.
Next morning we were mp by sunrise, break
tasted, siI7ic!, camp, and recrassed the lake it
was most beautiful autumn day, with bright
sun, and fresh'wind. The old Indian and my
self started to creep, while jim set out to the
nearest settlement, to engage a team Of oxen for
the purpose Of hauling ont our moose of yester-
day. We had not been at work more than an
hour. when VIC came on tracks evidently quite
fresh. The hunter, af1er carefully examining
them. informed me uiat thsy were those Of a
bull. COW. and calf and that they had not passed
ten minutes before; here was a bit Of luck
There were bushes upon which they had been
browsing. with the saliva still adhering to the
stems; but 50 thick was the cover that no moose
could we catch glimpse Of Al this time there
was the chance Of Their winding US, or being
startled by the cracking Of some dry stick. at
Iat, on reaching the top Of gentle SLOPE the old