ng. These times when the geese
are flying over are as a general thing profitable to the hunters. I
have known an old Indian, with only two old flintlock guns, kill
seventy-five large grey geese in one day. That was however an
exceptional case. The hunters considered themselves fortunate if each
night they returned with from seven to twelve of these birds.

Oowikapun, having selected a spot at the edge of a great marsh from
which the snow had melted, and where the goose grass was abundant, and
the flocks were flying over in great numbers, hastily prepared what the
hunters call their nest. This is made out of marsh hay and branches of
trees, and is really what its name implies, a nest so large that at
least a couple of men can hide themselves in it. When ready to begin
goose hunting they put on a white coat and a cap of similar colour; for
these observant Indians have learned that if they are dressed in white
they can call the geese much nearer to them than if their garments are
of any other hue. Another requisite for a successful hunt is to have a
number of decoy geese carved out of wood, and placed in the grass near
the nest, as though busily engaged in eating.

Oowikapun's first day at the hunt was fortunately a very good one. The
sun was shining brightly, and aided by a southern breeze many flocks of
geese came in sight in their usual way of flying, either in straight
lines or in triangles. Oowikapun was gifted with the ability to imitate
their call, and he succeeded in bringing so many of them in range of his
gun that ere the day ended he had bagged almost a score.

In after years when I visited that land it used to interest me much, and
added a pleasurable excitement to my trip, to don a white garment over
my winter clothing, for the weather was still cold, and join one of
these clever hunters in his little nest and take my chance at a shot at
these noble birds. I felt quite proud of my powers when I brought down
my first grey goose, even if I did only break a wing with my ball.

Quickly unloosing Cuffy, one of my favourite Newfoundland dogs, I sent
her after the bird, which had lit down on a great ice field about five
hundred yards away. But although disabled, the bird could still fight,
and so when my spirited dog tried to close in upon her and seize her by
the neck, the brave goose gave her such a blow over the head with the
uninjured wing that it turned her completely over and made her howl with
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