“Two other ways we had of hunting moose:  Calling and stalking.  The calling was done in this way:  We took a bit of birch bark and rolled it up in the shape of a horn.  We took this horn and started out, either on a bright moonlight night or just at evening, or early in the morning.  The man who carried the horn hid himself, and then began to make a lowing sound like a female moose.  He had to do it pretty well to deceive them.  Away in the distance some moose would hear it, and with answering grunts would start off to come to it.  If a young male moose was coming, he’d mind his steps, I can assure you, on account of fear of the old ones, but if it was an old fellow, you’d hear him stepping out bravely and rapping his horns against the trees, and plunging into any water that came in his way.  When he got pretty near, he’d stop to listen, and then the caller had to be very careful and put his trumpet down close to the ground, so as to make a lower sound.  If the moose felt doubtful he’d turn; if not, he’d come on, and unlucky for him if he did, for he got a warm reception, either from the rifles in our hands as we lay hid near the caller, or from some of the party stationed at a distance.

“In stalking, we crept on them the way a cat creeps on a mouse.  In the daytime a moose is usually lying down.  We’d find their tracks and places where they’d been nipping off the ends of branches and twigs, and follow them up.  They easily take the scent of men, and we’d have to keep well to the leeward.  Sometimes we’d come upon them lying down, but, if in walking along, we’d broken a twig, or made the slightest noise, they’d think it was one of their mortal enemies, a bear—­creeping on them, and they’d be up and away.  Their sense of hearing is very keen, but they’re not so quick to see.  A fox is like that, too.  His eyes aren’t equal to his nose.

“Stalking is the most merciful way to kill a moose.  Then they haven’t the fright and suffering of the chase.”

“I don’t see why they need to be killed at all,” said Mrs. Wood.  “If I knew that forest back of the mountains was full of wild creatures, I think I’d be glad of it, and not want to hunt them, that is, if they were harmless and beautiful creatures like the deer.”

“You’re a woman,” said Mr. Wood, “and women are more merciful than men.  Men want to kill and slay.  They’re like the Englishman, who said:  ’What a fine day it is; let’s go out and kill something.’”

“Please tell us some more about the dogs that helped you catch the moose, uncle,” said Miss Laura, I was sitting up very straight beside her, listening to every word Mr. Wood said, and she was fondling my head.