THE CALL OF THE MOOSE--PREPARATIONS FOR CAPTURE--MIDNIGHT MARCH--RIVAL
BULLS--A ROYAL BATTLE--FRANK'S SHOT--BIG TOM, THE SUCCESSFUL MOOSE
HUNTER--YOUNG MOOSE CALVES--THEIR CAPTURE--SAM'S AWKWARD PREDICAMENT.
In the morning the boys were informed that during the night the call of
a great moose bull was heard, and that an effort would be made the next
night to kill him if possible.
The moose is the largest animal that roams in these northern forests,
and is exceedingly difficult to kill. His eyes are small and not very
good, but he has the most marvellous powers of hearing and smelling
given to almost any animal. Then he is so cunning and watchful that
very few Indians are able, by fair stalking him in his tracks, to get a
shot at him. He does not eat grass, but browses on the limbs and
branches of several kinds of trees. His horns are often of enormous
proportions, but yet the speed and ease with which he can dash safely
through the dense forests is simply marvellous.
There are various ways of killing them in addition to the sportsmanlike
way of following on the trail, and thus by skill and endurance getting
within range of them.
In the winter, when the snow is deep, they have a poor chance against
the hunters, who, on their light snowshoes, can glide on the top of the
deep snow, while the great, heavy moose goes floundering in the drift.
They have a great weakness for the large, long roots of the water lily,
and so are often killed while they are out from the shore and wallowing
in the marshy places for these succulent dainties. But the most
exciting sport is that which the Indians were here going to adopt in
trying to bring this big fellow, whose bellowings the night before had
so arrested the attention of those who had been awakened by him.
Mr Ross explained that the bellowings of the previous night were his
calls to his mates in the forest. Perhaps they had been alarmed by some
hunters or chased by wolves, and had become widely separated. So nature
has not only given to the moose of both sexes this wonderful power of
hearing, but to the males this great voice, which in the stillness of
the night in those northern solitudes can be heard for a number of
miles. The reply call of the female moose is much softer, and the
Indians have a plan by which they can so successfully imitate it that
they can often call the old male moose close enough to them to be shot;
and cases are known where the infuriated beast, maddened by the
deception played upon him, has rushed upon his deceiver and made it
lively work for him to get beyond the reach of his great antlers.
For fear of driving the moose out of the neighbourhood, it was decided
that there was to be no firing of guns that day, as the Indians were
certain there had been no answer to the call of the male on the part of
the other sex, and judging from their knowledge of the habits of the
animal they decided that, if not alarmed, he would be within hearing
distance about ten o'clock that evening.
The question then was, "How are we to spend the day?" This was speedily
answered when the Indians reported that there were any number of
sturgeon seen jumping in the shallows among the rocks not far out from
the shore. The method of securing them was by spearing them from the
canoes. A good deal of calculation was required in managing the canoes
so that they would not be upset in the excitement of the sport, and then
a great deal of strength had to be exerted to hold on to the spears when
once the great big sturgeon, from four to six feet long, was transfixed.
There were some amusing upsets, and the boys in turn came back to the
camp drenched, but happy with the varied adventures of the day. Nearly
a score of fine sturgeon rewarded them for their efforts. These the
Indians cut into flakes and dried, while the valuable oil was distilled
and put away in most ingeniously constructed vessels made out of the
skin of the sturgeon themselves.
But in spite of the fun and success of the sturgeon fishing the boys
were simply wild in anticipation of the events of the coming night. The
very uncertainty and weirdness of it had a fascination for them that
made it impossible for them to shut their eyes and have a short sleep in
the early hours of the evening, as Mr Ross suggested. The very idea of
sleeping seemed an utter impossibility. So they kept awake, and were
alert and watchful on the movements of the Indians, who made their final
preparations to take advantage of the natural instincts of these great
animals to meet each other.
These preparations were not very many. From the birch trees that grew
near they stripped off long rolls of new bark. These they carefully
made into a horn-shaped instrument, the end of which was much wider than
the other. Then they put on their darkest garments, as the appearance
of any thing white would alarm the wary game and frighten them away.
The evening was exceedingly favourable. But little wind was blowing,
and that was from the land toward the lake; thus the scent would not be
carried toward the moose, if they appeared.
The next question was, who were to go and where had they better be
stationed? So it was decided that as Mr Ross had caught the contagion
of the hour, he and Alec should take a position at a designated rock,
both well-armed, while out near the lake one of the clever Indians,
armed with one of these oddly constructed birch-bark horns, should be
placed. The reason of this was the expectation that, if the old moose
heard the call, while perhaps too wary to come within range of the man
sounding it, he might be near enough for a good shot from Mr Ross and
Alec. In the same manner Frank was stationed with Mustagan, and Sam
with Big Tom, while two other Indians, acting the part of trumpeters to
them, were stationed in the rear near the water's edge.
For a couple of hours very eerie and weird seemed everything to these
excited boys. No moon was in the heavens, but the stars shone down upon
them with a splendour and a beauty unknown in a land of fogs and mists.
No conversation was allowed, as the hearing of the moose is most acute.
For a time the silence was almost oppressive.
After watching at their different stations for about half an hour or so,
there wailed out on the silent air a cry so wild, so startling, so
blood-curdling that it filled with terror and dismay the hearts of our
three boys, who had never heard anything like it. Strung up as they
were to such tension by their surroundings out there in the gloom of
that quiet night, and then to be thus startled by such a cry, no wonder
each lad clutched his gun and instinctively crowded close to his
experienced companion in that trying hour. Yet such was their
confidence in them that they remained silent, but were soon relieved
when they were told, in a whisper, that it was only the cry of the lynx,
and, blood-curdling though it was, it was really a good sign for them.
When this harsh, doleful sound had died away in the distance, from a
tree near them some great owls began their strange hootings, and the
Indians again said, "Good signs."
About midnight the first note of the sound for which they were listening
was heard. It was far away in the forest directly east from them, with
the wind coming from the same direction. The Indians remained perfectly
still until the roaring became somewhat louder, and then the boys were
somewhat startled at hearing, but in a much softer key, a sound very
similar in their rear. This latter sound was made by the men through
these queer birch-bark horns they had been so industriously working at
during the day. From long practice some of these Indians can so
perfectly imitate the sounds of the female moose that they can deceive
the males, and thus bring them toward them. These artificial sounds
were not long unanswered. Louder and louder still were the roarings
that came at intervals from the deep forest. Soft and varied were the
responses as the Indian in the rear of Mr Ross and Alec blew his
inviting notes, but in the rear of the others there sounded out the
enticing strains.
"Listen," said Mr Ross, "there is the roar of another old moose, and we
are in for a battle."
Fortunately the wondrous auroras came shooting up from below the horizon
and flashing and dancing along the northern sky; they almost dispelled
the darkness, and lit up the landscape with a strange, weird light.
This necessitated a quick change of base on the part of the hunters, and
so, as soon as possible, they retired under the shadows of some dense
balsam trees. Hardly were they well hidden from view before a great
moose showed himself in full sight in a wide opening, where the fire,
years before, had burned away the once dense forest. In response to his
loud calls the three Indians with their horns replied, and this seemed
to greatly confuse him. He would move first a little in one direction
and then in another, and then hesitated and sent out his great roar
again. Quickly, and in a lower strain, did the Indians closely imitate
the female's call. Before there could be the responsive answer on his
part to them there dashed into the open space from the forest, not many
hundreds of yards from him, another moose bull that roared out a
challenge that could not be mistaken.
The Indians with their birch horns again imitated the calls of the
female moose. This they did with the purpose of bringing the bulls
within range before they engaged in battle.
It is a singular characteristic of many wild animals, that when the
rival males battle for the possession of the females, they like to do it
in the presence, of those for whom they fight. Their presence seems to
be a stimulus to nerve them to greater courage. So it is with the moose
and other deer species, and so by the light of the dancing auroras the
three boys and those with them watched these two great moose, each
standing at the foreshoulders over sixteen hands high, as they thus came
on toward the spot where Mr Ross and Alec were well hid from
observation, and behind whom the Indian kept now softly lowing like a
moose cow.
In their hurried movements they had gradually approached each other, and
so when not far from Mr Ross and Alec's hiding place they suddenly
appeared in a clear, elevated spot, and supposing they were now close to
their companions they turned suddenly and gave each other battle. And a
royal battle it was! A moose bull at the best is not handsome, but an
angry, infuriated moose bull, when his temper is up, is one of the most
hideous of monsters. The long, coarse hair of his head and neck seems
to be all turned in the wrong direction, his small eyes have a most
wicked gleam in them, and, taking him altogether, we know of no picture
more likely to cause a person who sees him to have the next night the
nightmare.
With a roar they rushed at each other, and as their great antlered heads
met in the shock of battle it was a sight not often seen. They each
seemed as though they were resolved to conquer in the first round, and
appeared surprised at not having been able to succeed.
It undoubtedly would have been interesting to some people to have
witnessed the battle between these two well-matched moose bulls to a
finish, but the practical Indians know a thing or two about their meat,
and one is that the meat of a moose that has been in battle for a couple
of hours or so is apt to be so soft and spongy and full of air bubbles
that a hungry dog will hardly eat it. They also know, on the other
hand, that moose meat when in prime condition is the finest venison in
the world. The Indians were also well aware that the bulls now engaged
in battle would take but little heed of any other foes. They therefore
quickly gathered in with Frank and Sam to the spot where Mr Ross and
Alec were hidden, and there in quiet whispers arranged their plans for
the killing of the two great moose ere the fierce battle had much longer
continued.
The Indians were anxious that the boys should have the honour of killing
them, but Mr Ross hesitated to expose any one of them to the fierce
rush of an infuriated wounded moose bull in case the bullet had not done
its work. The Indians, cautious though they are, however, saw here an
opportunity such as might not for a long time be theirs, and so pleaded
for them, and promised to so place themselves as to be ready with a
reserve fire if it should be necessary.
To Frank and Alec the honour of the first fire was given. If this did
not immediately bring both of the moose down Mr Ross and Sam were to
fire next, while the Indians would be as a reserve in case of emergency.
Mustagan was given charge over all in case of any need arising. After
a short survey of the fierce conflict it was decided that they must
quietly work round the combatants and fire at them from the forest side.
Under the guidance of Mustagan the single party quietly drew back a
little, and then, making a detour, were nearly in the rear of the
fighting animals when a quick, sharp word from Mustagan caused them all
to drop flat upon the ground, for there, clearly visible in the light of
the dancing auroras, not two hundred yards away, was a large moose cow
with two young calves at her side. So intently was she watching the
battle that she had not the slightest suspicion of the presence of these
hunters.
This was a new complication. What was to be done? If possible she must
be killed. The meat of a cow moose is very much superior to that of the
bull. Gliding past the boys like a panther went Big Tom from the front
to consult with Mustagan, who was at the rear. Soon it was settled that
Big Tom was to get that cow, while the bulls were to be killed as
arranged.
But a few seconds for consultation were needed between these two Indian
hunters, and then to the eyes of the boys it seemed as though Big Tom,
the largest man in the party, literally sank into the ground, so small
did he seem to make himself, as with his gun in the fickle light he
silently glided away. Mustagan then, with the party close behind him,
moved on again to the scene of the battle, which was still fiercely
raging. The ground was very uneven, and as every advantage was taken of
it the boys were able to secure a most advantageous position not more
than fifty yards from the combatants.
The fierce battle was a sight sufficient to try the nerves of much older
persons than our boys. The bulls seemed simply wild with rage, and as
in their mad rushes their horns struck together Frank and Alec declared
that they saw fire flash from them; others, however, said it was only
auroral reflection as they turned at certain angles. Mustagan beckoned
the two boys who were to have the honour of the first fire, and placing
them side by side he quietly said:
"Wait until in their fighting they turn their sides to you, then aim to
strike them behind the foreshoulders."
They had not long to wait ere the double report rang out on the midnight
air, and as an echo to it another one was heard not far away. That the
balls struck was evident, for the thud of the bullets was heard
distinctly by all, so close were they to their game. The effect of the
firing on one of the bulls was seen to be immediate, for, although his
huge horns seemed almost locked in those of his antagonist, he slowly
sank to the ground. The other moose, although badly wounded, gave a
last vicious plunge at his opponent. Then proudly lifting up his head,
and seeing for the first time his new antagonists, and being still mad
with the excitement of battle, he, without any hesitancy, rushed to the
attack.
"Fire straight at the centre of his head," were Mustagan's words.
Hardly were they uttered ere from the guns of Mr Ross and Sam the
death-dealing bullets flew on their mission and the great, fierce animal
stumbled forward a few more yards and fell dead, pierced to the brain by
both of the balls. In a few minutes they were joined by Big Tom, who
quickly said:
"Moose cow shot, and little calves run into woods; catch um next day, if
wolves not too quick."
It was the report of his unerring shot that rang out so quickly after
Frank and Alec had fired.
The reaction after the complete silence and the long-strung-up tension,
together with the fierce battle witnessed and the decisive victory, was
very great. No need of silence now, but the boys were so excited they
hardly knew whether to laugh or cry. Frank said he wanted to howl.
Alec said he wanted to dance. Sam said he wanted to swing a shillalah.
And they all said, "What would not the boys at home give to be here?"
A fire was quickly kindled, and a couple of Indians remained as watchers
while the rest returned to the not very distant camp. The Indian in
charge had supper ready for them, which was much enjoyed, and then as
speedily as possible they were wrapped up in their blankets and doubly
wrapped in sweet, refreshing sleep. Very few were their hours of
slumber. Daylight comes early in the summer time in high latitudes, and
so when the boys heard the Indians moving about and preparing breakfast
they sprang up also, and after a hasty bath in the lake were ready for
their breakfast and eager to be off, not only to see where their bullets
had struck the moose bulls, but to find out how it was that while one
dropped so quickly the other was able to make that fierce charge upon
them.
When they reached the scene of last night's exciting adventures they
hardly recognised that locality, so different does a place look in
daylight from what it does when illumined by the ever-changing auroras.
However, here was the place sure enough, for some Indians had already
nearly skinned the great animals, and had traced the bullets that had
been fired. Frank's bullet had pierced the heart of the one that had so
quickly dropped in the fight; Alec's had gone through the lungs, and,
though the wound was a mortal one, it did not so suddenly result in
death; hence his ability to make that fearful charge, which was so
promptly stopped by the balls of Mr Ross and Sam, both of which were
taken out of his brain. This was very satisfactory to the boys, and so
they were bracketed with equal honours all round by Mr Ross, much to
their delight, for three nobler, more unselfish lads never chummed
together. The success of one was the success of all, and when one
seemed to fail, or make a miss, the others were uneasy until he was at
the head in the next adventure.
But the question now was, "Where are those young moose calves?" The
Indian watchers could give the boys but little information. All they
knew was that after the auroras faded away in the dark hour just before
dawn they heard them moving about; but they did not frighten them, as
Mr Ross had left orders that they were not to be disturbed, unless some
prowling wolves should appear as though on their trail. None, however,
were heard, and so the Indians had remained very quiet.
So the search for the young moose immediately began, and although it was
prosecuted with a good deal of vigour, still not a sign of the young
animals was discovered. At length Mustagan, who had watched the younger
members of the party at work, said:
"You want to see those calves quick, just wait."
Quietly taking up one of the birch-bark horns, he began softly blowing
into it. The sounds he made were like those of the mother cow when she
calls her young from its secluded retreat, where she has cunningly hid
it away from its many enemies while she is off feeding.
Now high, now low, now prolonged and in different tones, came out from
that great birch-bark horn those peculiar notes, some of which were not
unlike the sounds made by the domestic cow when separated from her calf.
For once in his life Mustagan was a complete failure. For blow as much
as he would--and great were his exertions--no calf appeared in answer to
his calls.
Said Big Tom, who was a famous moose hunter, and who had listened to
Mustagan with a good deal of interest and some amusement: "Let me have
that horn, and I will show you how it ought to be done. You boys watch
the woods and be ready to run."
Then putting the birch horn to his mouth he cooed out such a tender moo-
oo-o-o that the boys were fairly startled by the similarity of its sound
to the familiar notes in the barnyards at home; but soon other things
excited them, for hardly had the echoes of Big Tom's mooings died away
before there came rushing out from the forest the two moose calves. On
they came directly toward the spot where Big Tom had uttered his call.
So sudden had been their appearance that all remained perfectly still to
watch their movements. Certain that they had heard their mother, they
were now anxiously looking for her. They were a pair of fine-looking
moose calves, about three months old, and so it was resolved, if
possible, to capture them alive and tame them. It turned out not so
easy a matter as had been anticipated. With as little display as
possible the boys and Indians tried to surround them before they become
alarmed. So confident did the young creatures seem that they had heard
their mother that it was some time before they became suspicious of
danger, and then only when they were about encircled by the hunters.
Then the fun began. Turning toward the point in the forest from which
they had emerged, they made a dash for liberty. Frank and Alec threw
themselves on one, and getting their arms around its neck made a
desperate effort to hold it. They were amazed at its strength, as it
easily carried them along, and not until they succeeded in tripping it
up and throwing it on the ground were they able to hold it.
Sam and a young Indian tackled the other one, and found him much more
pugnacious. With a vicious kick he struck the Indian in the stomach,
who at once decided that he had had enough of that sport and quickly
retired, leaving Sam now to struggle with him alone. Sam at first
seized him by his long ears, but was unable to bring force enough to
arrest his progress in that way. Then he tried to seize him by the
neck, but a few strong blows with his fore feet made that a difficult
and dangerous task, and so Sam had to let go. This seemed to interest
the calf, and so from being the one attacked he became the aggressor.
The pugnacity of the calf, and the lively way in which he butted his
opponent, caused great amusement to the onlookers. Sam could not stand
this, and so he threw himself desperately on the animal, and hugging him
around his neck, held him so closely that he could neither use his hard
little head nor his fore feet, with which he had been fighting so
vigorously. Sam was in an awkward predicament. Gladly would a number
of Indians have rushed to his help, but Mr Ross wanted him to have the
honour of capturing the young moose alone, and so held them back; but
all watched the odd struggle, which was intensely amusing.
Sam still pluckily held on, but the calf evidently considered himself
the aggressor, for he tried hard to shake Sam loose from him, his object
evidently being to strike him with his head or feet. This Sam
endeavoured to prevent, until at length he was afraid to let go his grip
for fear of the now vicious young animal, and so, in his desperation, he
called out most comically:
"Will somebody come and help me to let go of this calf?" Help was soon
there, and strong arms quickly captured the spirited young creature.
It, as well as its companion, was securely tied and taken back with the
party when they returned to Sagasta-weekee.
So great was the quantity of meat and other things secured that a canoe
was hastily sent back to the home, and the next day a large boat,
similar to those used by the Hudson Bay Company in the fur trade,
arrived with a good crew. Everything was placed on board, including the
two young moose, that already would eat the young branches gathered for
them by the boys. A strong yard, inclosed with planks and logs, was
made for them, and they soon became quite tame and gentle.
Harnessed to a cariole, or dog-sled, they travelled with great speed,
and seemed to enjoy the fun. But they drew the line at the saddle, and
no Texas bronco could more easily rid himself of a tenderfoot than these
lively animals with their enormous forequarters could send their would-
be riders into the snow or grass.
Our illustration gives us a good idea of how they looked when ready the
next spring to be shipped by the Hudson Bay ship to one of the big
zoological gardens in Great Britain.