The Dickinson press., 1898-05-21

V0SAAA6 -oSSN0AAo IA ChoWGhoSos Nv
after adjusting everything we set out
across the lake. I should perhaps ex-
plain that l have never prided myself
on my prowess as a sportsman, but this
is chiefly owing to q lack Of opportunity
and experience rather than to zeal and
effort. This likewise was my first ex-
perience with snowshoes, although my
companion was to the u born in
this regard and started off with long
and easy strides which I %endeavored to
emulate. I found, however, that about
the only requirement was to swing along
as deliberately as possible, slightly
spreading the feet to prevent ''interfer.
ing" While we were on the level I
found no difficulty whatever; my snow
shoes seemed in every way we'll behav-
ed, docile and amenable TO reason and
influence. But when we struck the hill
side beyond trouble began. My com
panion took the lead, and I attempted to
follow without getting too far behind.
Suddenly and when I was not looking
my left snowshoe took occasion to dig
me in the side of the right shin. Soon
1t lay hold of q twig and hung SO fast
that I was thrown down, thus slightly
shattering the usual firm foundation of
my patience. Meantime my companion
was striding along ahead easily and re-
calling me with stories Of the delights
Of ptarmigan shooting. I finally asked
him to proceed a bit slower, not on my
account-oh, no-but because had read
that old ptarmigan hunters always go
deliberately, so as to cover the ground
thoroughly.
Battle With q snowshoe.
Finally my left snowshoe tripped me
again in some way, taking me unawares
as before. When the gentleman who
was with me turned around and smiled,
I a swear there was a wicked leer in
Its face just where a thong was broken
near the toe, but even then I was not
inclined to be resentful. The air was
crisp aud frosty, it had registered 20
degrees below zero at Z O'Clock, we were
on A1miesion Of sport and there was no
sense tomy spelling the day by getting
madkust FRY first hour. 1t was not IN.
til Z.eQ ;. been annoyed again and again,
having been two or three times tripped
80 quickly that ! was thrown to the
ground, that I resolved to have it out
then and there and learn which was
master. I placed my gun against the
limb of a tree and gave my left foot q
twist by way Of challenge. Then began
a battle royal, sometimes the left snow
shoe being on top and sometimes I was
on top myself. Finally I sank down ex-
hausted and was willing to call it a
drawn battle. Meantime my companion
roared with laughter and fairly rolled
In the nov with delight. After that
we seemed to get along all right enough
that is, I and the snowshoe, although
each was disposed to respect the dignity
and peouliarities Of the other.
Thus far We had seen no ptarmigan.
In fact, lam a little skeptical about wild
animal life in this country, for you may
walk miles and miles and never see tho
track of bird or beast in the snow. So
far as ! can learn the wildcat is the
most common Of any animals found
here. 1t is a small animal, weighing
from 40 to 80 pounds, and the fur
makes very light and pretty garments
indeed. Bears are also seen occasionally.
They are attracted to the trail by the
bodies Of dead horses, but farther back
in the country, as far as I can learn, lit
tie signs of animal life are found, and
game is SO scarce in the north that in
some places the Canadian officials have
to feed the Indians to keep them from
starving. I am speaking. of course, of
the conditions as they exist at this sea-
son. This vast territory is a breeding
ground Of numberless ducks and geese,
and in summer the song of the thrush
and robin can be heard, while, strange
to say, humming birds are far more
plenty than in milder climates. I shall
have occasion to verify this latter report
a little later, but it has occurred to me
that the SO called humming birds ma /
be nothing but giant mosquitoes after
all
Ptarmigan Shooting.