BOYS' ADVENTURE WITH REINDEER IN THE LAKE--GADFLIES AND OTHER DEER
PESTS--PECULIAR WEAPONS--DANGEROUS ANTAGONISTS--HOOFS AND HORNS--FRANK'S
SUCCESS--ATTACK ON THE LEADER--CANOE SMASHED--ALEC AND THE INDIANS IN
THE WATER--SAM'S STRATAGEM--SUCCESS AT LAST--THE RETURN TRIP--
SIGNIFICANT SIGNS--DUCKS AND GEESE HEADING SOUTHWARD--INDIANS UNEASY--
JOURNEY HASTENED--SAGASTA-WEEKEE REACHED--SUMMER ENDED--WINTER BEGUN.
Refreshed and invigorated by the much needed rest, the boys with their
appointed Indian companions started off early the next morning for the
lake, which seemed to have become the reindeer's favourite bathing
resort.
So early did they arrive at the lake that they had to wait for some
hours ere a deer was to be seen. The principal reason why the deer
spend so much time in the water seems to be to get rid of a number of
troublesome flies that very much annoy them. Some species of gadfly
have the power not only to sting them, but to insert their eggs under
the skin, which soon develops into a large grub. Some of the skins of
the reindeer are so perforated by these pests that they are absolutely
worthless to the Indians.
Another reason why the deer were late in coming out into the lake was
the fact that, as the summer was nearly gone, the nights were now long
and cool; and the gadflies being only troublesome in the warm hours of
bright sunshine, it was nearly noon ere they came out from their forest
retreats and plunged into the lake.
A herd of reindeer swimming in the water is a very pretty sight. Having
large lungs, and thus being very buoyant, they swim high in the water,
and being good swimmers they make, when a number of them are disporting
themselves undisturbed, a very beautiful picture.
While our party of hunters were waiting in their shady retreat, secluded
from observation, the Indians with as little noise as possible cut down
and smoothly trimmed for use some poles. When fully prepared they were
between ten and twelve feet long and from one to two inches in diameter.
To the larger ends of each were securely lashed with deerskin thongs
long, sharp, double-edged knives.
It was about eleven o'clock ere the Indian scouts, sent out to watch the
movements of the deer, returned with the report that the greater portion
of the herd had taken to the water. In order to be sure of success in
the hunt it was decided to carefully carry the canoes through the woods,
and embark as near as possible to the spot where the deer had plunged
into the lake. This would place the hunters in the rear of their game,
and thus give them a very decided advantage.
As the Indians were anxious to get as many reindeer as possible for the
sake of the meat, a large portion of which they decided to make into
pemmican, they decided to send out six canoes on this day's expedition.
Our three boys were each assigned a canoe with some Indian hunters who
were supposed to be well versed in this exciting sport. Each canoe was
furnished with one of these newly improvised spears, while each boy and
hunter had his gun and axe.
The whole six canoes were very noiselessly placed in the water at a spot
where some great overhanging branches reached down to the water's edge.
All were thus enabled to embark without attracting attention, or in the
slightest degree alarming the deer that were now swimming about in the
lake. Pushing aside the bushes, they all shot out as nearly as possible
together, and, vigorously plying their paddles, began the attack.
The deer, startled and alarmed by the suddenness of the appearance of
the canoes, at first attempted to escape by returning to the shore.
Finding, however, that their retreat was cut off, all there was left for
them to do was to boldly strike out from the land and get, if possible,
beyond the reach of their pursuers. As the lake was, however, a very
large one there was no possibility of their being able to swim across.
The Indians well knew they would not attempt it; but after endeavouring
to shake off pursuit by swimming out from land, if unsuccessful they
would return and give battle in the water, if there was no other course
open to them.
The three canoes, in each of which was one of the boys, started out side
by side, and there was a good deal of excitement and rivalry, as to whom
should fall the honour of bagging the first reindeer.
Fast as the reindeer can swim, Indian canoemen can paddle their canoes
much faster, and so it was not long ere the deer were overtaken.
"Kill none but those in prime condition," were the orders received by
all; "and let no canoe kill more than four."
As on some former occasions in similar hunting adventures, the boys were
each assigned the post of honour, which was the position in the very
front of the canoe, so that they could be the first to attack the deer
when they came within striking distance.
As they drew near to the deer, and saw how they swam, the boys were able
to see what effective weapons the ones formed by the binding of the
knives to the poles really were. Of course the terrified deer made the
most desperate efforts to escape; but in spite of all they could do
their pursuers steadily gained upon them.
"Do not be in a hurry," said one of the Indians in Frank's canoe to him
when he seemed so eager to throw his newly formed spear, as though it
were a javelin, at a great antlered fellow they were approaching, but
who, as though conscious of their desires to reach his head, very
cleverly and rapidly kept them off.
The Indians well know, some by bitter experience, the ability of the
reindeer to kick out so viciously and effectively behind, even when
swimming, as to smash the canoe that has been paddled up close to them
by the over-eager, excited hunters. Hence experienced Indians give that
end of a swimming reindeer a wide berth, and endeavour to get within
striking distance of his head.
"Ready now!" the man quickly spoke again, as this time by a quick
movement they succeeded in getting beyond his heels, and came rapidly
alongside of him.
"Strike him just behind the head, and strike hard," were the next words
Frank heard, and with all his strength he plunged his spear into the
neck of the great animal. He did not, however, as he should have done,
strike across the spine so as to sever the spinal cord, and so he only
inflicted an ugly flesh wound which irritated the great animal and
caused him to turn round and give battle to the canoe and all its
occupants. But, rapidly, as he turned, he was not quicker than were the
sharp Indians, who, watching every movement and seeing the failure of
Frank, suddenly began to paddle back from him. Rendered furious by the
wound, and seeing his enemies retreating, he came on as resolutely and
rapidly as possible.
"Try the gun," said one of the Indians, and Frank, mortified by his
failure with the spear, was not slow to respond. Carefully aiming for
the curl on the forehead, between the eyes, he pulled the trigger, and
as the report rang out the great deer suddenly turned over dead in the
water. A cheer rang out, proclaiming the first one thus obtained. Alec
and his men struck out for one of great size that they supposed was the
leader of the herd. He not only had a most magnificent set of antlers,
but by the way in which he swam in the water he seemed to possess not
only magnificent lungs, but to be still trying to have some control over
the frightened deer. When he saw that he was himself being attacked he
immediately, as became the leader of the herd, turned to meet the
advancing canoe and give battle.
It was unfortunate for Alec that his Indian canoemen, while clever
hunters, were inexperienced in the tactics of our old, wily reindeer.
It would have been wise on their part if, when they saw him swing round
and boldly come on to the attack, they had quickly used their guns; but
that is considered the last resort in this kind of sport--the great
ambition is to kill the deer with their spears.
So here Alec and his comrades wished to carry off honours in this
contest; and so, when the great fellow came within reaching distance,
they tried, with a couple of spears, to kill him; but a clever, rapid
twist of his horns seemed to parry their spear thrusts, and before they
knew how it happened the side of the canoe was crushed in as an
eggshell, and they were all struggling in the water.
It was well for them that they were good swimmers; and so they struck
out for the other canoes, the occupants of which, seeing the disaster,
at once began paddling to their rescue. The greatest danger to be
feared was that the infuriated deer would take after one or more of
them, in which case they would have a poor chance indeed, as a man
swimming is no match for a deer in the water. With horns and sharp,
chisel-like hoofs, he is able to make a gallant fight, as we have
already seen in the case of the deer and wolves.
However, it was soon seen, in this instance, that no danger was to be
feared. The deer kept venting his displeasure on the canoe, so that he
paid not the slightest notice to those who had so suddenly sprung out of
it on the opposite side from him, and were rapidly swimming away. The
poor canoe, however, had to be the butt of his ire--as well as of his
horns--and soon all there was left of it were a few pieces of splinters
floating on the water. The guns, axes, spears, and other heavy articles
were at the bottom of the lake.
The swimmers were helped into the other canoes, and the sport was
resumed. When several deer had been killed they were fastened by long
deerskin thongs, like lariats, to the stern of a couple of canoes and
towed through the water to the shore. Alec and his wet comrades went
with them, and at a great fire built up on the beach soon dried
themselves, and were none the worse for their involuntary swim.
For a time the great deer that had come off so victorious was left
swimming around in his glory, none seeming to care to get into close
quarters with him. Sam, however, was of a different mind, and was eager
for a round with him. Of course it would not have been difficult to
shoot him, but, as has been stated, the Indians think there is no honour
or skill in shooting a deer in the water, where he cannot swim as fast
as they can paddle their canoes. So they were just holding back in each
canoe and waiting for some one else to tackle the big fellow.
When Sam told the Indians in his canoe that he wished they would attack
him they admired his courage and grit, and one of them, with a bit of a
twinkle in his eye, asked:
"You able to swim as well as Alec?"
"Yes, indeed," he replied; "but there will be no need for my trying."
"How you want to kill him?" asked another Indian.