Walking back along the point we found it cut by caribou trails, and everywhere the moss was torn and trampled in a way that indicated the presence there of many of the animals but a short time since.  Yet it did not occur to me that we might possibly be on the outskirts of the march of the migrating caribou.  Ptarmigan were there in numbers, and flew up all along our way.  We passed a number of old camps, one a large oblong, sixteen feet in length, with two fireplaces in it, each marked by a ring of small rocks, and a doorway at either end.  Near where we landed, close in the shelter of a thicket of dwarf spruce, was a deep bed of boughs, still green, where some wandering aboriginal had spent the night without taking time or trouble to erect his wigwam, and who in passing on had set up three poles pointing northward to tell his message to whoever might come after.

The wind continued high, and squalls and heavy showers passed.  Nevertheless, when lunch was over we pushed on, keeping close to the west shore of the lake.  Little more than a mile further up the men caught sight of deer feeding not far from the water’s edge.  We landed, and climbing to the top of the rock wall saw a herd of fifteen or more feeding in the swamp.  I watched them almost breathless.  They were very beautiful, and it was an altogether new and delightful experience to me.  Soon they saw us and trotted off into the bush, though without sign of any great alarm.  George and Job made off across the swamp to the right to investigate, and not long after returned, their eyes blazing with excitement, to say that there were hundreds of them not far away.

Slipping hurriedly back into the canoes we paddled rapidly and silently to near the edge of the swamp.  Beyond it was a barren hill, which from near its foot sloped more gradually to the water.  Along the bank, where this lower slope dropped to the swamp, lay a number of stags, with antlers so immense that I wondered how they could possibly carry them.  Beyond, the lower slope of the hill seemed to be a solid mass of caribou, while its steeper part was dotted over with many feeding on the luxuriant moss.

Those lying along the bank got up at sight of us, and withdrew towards the great herd in rather leisurely manner, stopping now and then to watch us curiously.  When the herd was reached, and the alarm given, the stags lined themselves up in the front rank and stood facing us, with heads high and a rather defiant air.  It was a magnificent sight.  They were in summer garb of pretty brown, shading to light grey and white on the under parts.  The horns were in velvet, and those of the stags seemed as if they must surely weigh down the heads on which they rested.  It was a mixed company, for male and female were already herding together.  I started towards the herd, kodak in hand, accompanied by George, while the others remained at the shore.  The splendid creatures seemed to grow taller as we approached, and when we were within two hundred and fifty yards of them their defiance took definite form, and with determined step they came towards us.