r October.

"The wood is white and finely grained; it is sometimes used by
cabinet-makers as a substitute for holly, in forming the lines with
which they inlay mahogany.

"In Canada, and those parts of the United States where it grows in great
plenty, the farmers in spring turn out their cattle and horses to feed
upon its leaves and young shoots, of which these animals are extremely
fond; the more so, as it is only in very cold regions that it grows, and
the budding of its foliage even precedes the springing of the grass.
Such is the tree which forms the favourite browsing of the moose.

"To return to my narrative.

"After we had shuffled about two miles over the snow, my friend and I
entered a tract of heavy timber, where the striped maple formed the
underwood. It did not grow regularly, but in copses or small thickets.
We had already started some small game, but declined following it, as we
were bent only on a moose-chase.

"We soon fell in with signs that indicated the propinquity of the
animals we were in search of. In several of the thickets, the maples
were stripped of their twigs and bark, but this had been done previous
to the falling of the snow. As yet, there were no tracks: we were not
long, however, before this welcome indication was met with. On crossing
a glade where there was but little snow, the prints of a great split
hoof were seen, which my friend at once pronounced to be those of the
moose.

"We followed this trail for some distance, until it led into deeper snow
and a more retired part of the forest. The tracks were evidently fresh
ones, and those, as my friend asserted, of an old bull.

"Half-a-mile farther on, they were joined by others; and the trail
became a broken path through the deep snow, as if it had been made by
farm-cattle following each other in single file. Four moose had passed,
as my friend--skilled in woodcraft--confidently asserted, although I
could not have told that from the appearance of the trail. He went
still farther in his `reckoning,' and stated that they were a bull, a
cow, and two nine-months' calves.

"`You shall soon see,' he said, perceiving that I was somewhat
incredulous. `Look here!' he continued, bending down and pressing the
broken snow with his fingers; `they are quite fresh--made within the
hour. Speak low--the cattle can't be far off. Yonder, as I live!
yonder they are--hush!'

"My friend, as he spoke, pointed to a thicket about three hundre