falling timber are
making the loudest and the most incessant roar, if the hunter even with
his foot or his hand breaks the smallest dry twig in the forest, the
moose will hear it; and though it does not always run, it ceases eating,
and bends its attention to all sounds. If in the course of an hour the
hunter neither moves nor makes the least noise, the moose may possibly
again begin to feed, but does not forget what he has heard, and for many
hours afterwards is more vigilant even than before. Our friend told us
that the moose is never found among the caribou, nor the latter among
the former. The moose frequents the prairie where the buffalo feeds,
while the caribou generally inhabits low and swampy regions.

The chief begged us to remain by the animal we had killed, while he
returned to the lodges, that he might send the horses to bring home the
meat, with two others for us to ride.

With the supplies our own hunters were likely to obtain, we calculated
that we should have enough food for ourselves.

We had now been much longer from the fort than we intended, so we at
last bade our friends good-bye, and rode forward northward alone. We
should have, we calculated, a couple of nights to pass in the open air;
but we were all well accustomed to this sort of life, and thought it no
hardship. Our Cree friends purposed moving southward, and told us that
we should not be likely to see them again for some time.

As it was impossible for us to carry our share of the moose flesh with
us, we had arranged with the chief that he should build what is called a
"sunjegwun," a high scaffold, on the top of which it was to be deposited
and then securely covered over, so that no birds of prey could reach it,
while, from its height, even bears would not be able to climb up to the
top. This is an ordinary method employed by the Indians for preserving
their provisions, when they have obtained more than they can transport
at a time. Of course, it may possibly be stolen by their enemies, but
they select such spots as are not likely to be discovered.

Another risk they run is from those arrant thieves the wolverines,
which, if they discover what is on the top of the scaffold, though they
cannot climb up it, will set to work with their sharp teeth, and try to
gnaw away the posts.

As, however, they are likely to find the operation a long one, the
owners may return before they have accomplished it, and shoot them for
their pains. O