ch them when in this mood. They
strike with the hoofs of their forefeet, a single blow of which often
knocks the breath out of the stoutest deer-hound. There are many
records of hunters having been sacrificed in a similar manner.

Where the moose are plentiful, the Indians hunt them by pounding. This
is done simply by inclosing a large tract of woods, with a funnel-shaped
entrance leading into the inclosure. The wide mouth of the entrance
embraces a path which the deer habitually take; upon this they are
driven by the Indians, deployed in a wide curve, until they enter the
funnel, and the pound itself. Here there are nooses set, in which many
are snared, while others are shot down by the hunters who follow. This
method is more frequently employed with the caribou, which are much
smaller, and more gregarious than the moose-deer.

We have already said that the moose are easily captured in summer, when
they resort to the lakes and rivers to wade and swim. The biting of
gnats and mosquitoes renders them less fearful of the approach of man.
The Indians then attack them in their canoes, and either shoot or spear
them while paddling alongside.

They are much less dangerous to assail in this way than the elk or even
the common deer (_Cervus Virginianus_), as the latter, when brought in
contact with the frail birch-canoe, often kick up in such a manner as to
upset it, or break a hole through its side. On the contrary, the moose
is frequently caught by the antlers while swimming, and in this way
carried alongside without either difficulty or danger.

Although in such situations these huge creatures are easily captured, it
is far otherwise as a general rule. Indeed, few animals are more shy
than the moose. Its sight is acute; so, too, with its sense of smell;
but that organ in which it chiefly confides is the ear. It can hear the
slightest noise to a great distance; and the hunter's foot among the
dead leaves, or upon the frozen snow-crust, often betrays him long
before he can creep within range. They are, however, frequently killed
by the solitary hunter stealing upon them, or "approaching," as it is
termed. To do this, it is absolutely necessary to keep to leeward of
them, else the wind would carry to their quick ears even the cautious
tread of the Indian hunter.

There is one other method of hunting the moose often practised by the
Indians--that is, trailing them with _rackets_, or snow-shoes, and
running them