for their winter quarters. On arriving at the camp, which we reached without further adventure, we perceived that G. and Poulcis were still absent, and the place looked cheerless in the extreme. Lolah's activity, however, soon produced a change in the appearance of our abode; its chillness and desolation giving place to comfort and warmth, as our kettle hissed over the crackling logs of a huge fire, while the little dog (his barbarous Indian name I now forget) which we had left sole guardian of our traps, crept from under the buffalo skin to welcome our return, and to prefer his claim to a share of the coming meal. We had just begun our rude feast of roast potatoes and broiled ham, with the moistening assistance of that invaluable specific in the woods-tea, when Louis and G. made their appearance, the excited looks of the latter plainly intimating that he "could also a tale unfold." On inquiry, I found that they had come upon a cariboo-supposed to be the one seen by Lolah from the canoe-and G. had fired at, and wounded him; the animal had, however, got off. They followed close upon his trail, but the Indian, seeing from the sweep the deer had taken round the heads of the two lakes that he was making for a plain, distant four or five miles, advised that they should defer the pursuit until the next day, when, accompanied by his dog, they would probably get to close quarters with him.

The knowledge of my friend's success, and the now almost certain conviction that we should not return empty-handed to Fredericton, tended not a little to elevate my spirits, somewhat cast down as they were by the mischance of the morning; and a merry day in consequence we made of it in that wild wood, as stretched upon the soft buffalo skins, and puffing the much-prized cigar, with the sanguine expectations of sportsmen we pictured to each other the exciting and succesful termination which the chase of to-morrow would yield us.

Poulcis (the elder), in the meantime, not contented with his morning's work, had gone out to set a few traps for musquash, and returned towards sunset, carrying an animal about the size of a cat, which from its hideous appearance I said "I was sure must be that scourge of the woods, the carcazon or Indian devil. *" The old Indian appeared greatly amused at my zoological knowledge, proceeding however to explain that the object before us was a porcupine, which he had killed as it crossed his path, aud having plucked the skin from its still warm body, it had assumed so puzzling an appearance.

Everything caught or shot by an Indian is turned to account-the poor porcupine, for instance, was soon spitted and prepared for supper, and from the exclamations of "grand eating" which came from our guides, it must have been a dainty morsel.

The next morning, as a chace was before us, we made our meal shortly after daylight, and providing ourselves with supplies in the shape of biscuits and brandy-in the event of being kept out till night-proceeded without loss of time across the larger lake, through the lucid waters of which, as our canoe noiselessly glided, the huge rocks which strewed its bottom were visible several feet below us. Landing at a place evidently used by former wayfarers, as the axe

*Carcazon, wolverine or glutton, found in the forests of New Brunswick.

had cleared a space some yards in width, and having hauled up our canoe, we struck into a faint track or path which led into the woods. Along this we made our way for a considerable time, passing, not far from the lake, the bark walls of an old camp, in which, I doubt not, many a goodly buck had been laid, and thence upon the shoulders of some stout Indian transported to the St. John. At the termination of this track we came suddenly in sight of a most enchanting-looking lake, over which, in one unbroken ascent, rose the majestic form of the Bald Mountain, guarding, as it were, the gentle waters beneath from all intrusion.

There is certainly, in spite of their almost unvarying sameness, an excessive grandeur and solemnity in the American forests. Their vastness, their very silence-broken alone by the fall of soine gigantic pine-so unearthly, so unnatural, conspiring to produce a feeling approaching even to awe, as one's existence seems lost in so vast an immensity of space. Here, round this small and placid lake, all nature seemed to sleep. No trace of man's destructive hand was there, though the quantity of cranberry-trees (the fruit of which is much prized) might well have proved a temptation to his wandering footsteps. Passing nearly round this little paradise, our guides led through a belt of decayed or burnt firs, through which, after some difficulty, for the trees were surrounded by brushwood, we forced our way, and found ourselves at the extremity of a plain, narrow where we stood, but opening out beyond to a breadth of perhaps a mile. Its red mossy surface, which was quite level, was relieved by a variety of small ponds, round which a few stunted spruce trees were visible. Skirting the leeward side of this savannah for some distance, and crossing as we advanced several deer-tracks, we at last came upon one which from the uneven prints of the hoofs, and the distance between them, the two Indians with one accord pronounced to be that of a wounded cariboo, and therefore in all probability the object of our present pursuit. Directing Lolah to remain concealed where he was, Louis Poulcis accompanied by G and myself, proceeded on the trail, and he soon convinced us of the accuracy of his assertion, by pointing out the spot upon which the animal had lain down, the soft and humid moss which even under our weight sunk nearly a foot at every step displaying to his practised eye the whole form of the deer. Following up these traces for some time, we at last caught sight of our quarry as it lay seemingly unconscious of the designs against its liberty and life. The want of caution, however, on the part of Gor myself in our approach, soon roused his faculties, rendered probably keener by his wound. We rushed forward in spite of the injunction of Poulcis to "creep up slowly," to secure our prey. But we had much undervalued the powers of the animal, for instantly starting from his wet couch, he broke away in a long uneven trot, which would soon have set pursuit at defiance. Louis's vigilance had however been prepared for this, and he instantly set the small Indian dog which was with us after the retreating deer, who no sooner became aware of the genus of his pursuer, than stopping suddenly in his flight, he wheeled round, his eye now no longer glazed with terror, but lighted up with rage. Dashing at his

little persecutor, he endeavoured at once to transfix him with the sharp and pointed antlers which adorned his brow, and but for the extreme activity of our four-footed ally, we might have had to regret the result of our chace. As it was, however, the dog managed to avoid the desperate attacks of the cariboo (whose instinctive hatred to that race of animals had made him forgetful or regardless of the approach of his more dangerous enemy--man), and our whole party having now come up to the scene of action, the unequal contest was finished by a ball from G--'s rifle.

Our prize, on examination, proved a full-grown and well-conditioned buck (a bull), and the operation of cutting the throat having been performed with great glee by Poulcis, the goodness of the venison was also ascertained. Lolah having come up, the animal was left in his charge to be skinned, while the rest returned with great alacrity to the camp, where we that night made a double feast

in honour of the slain.

The next day, having left the venison to be transported to Fredericton by the Indians, G-- and myself paddled across the larger lake, and there leaving the canoe to return under the guidance of Poulcis, struck through the woods towards a new line of road between Fredericton and St. Andrew's, the bearing of which we had previously taken. After a fatiguing tramp, as we were loaded with our baggage, we met the settlement road, and pursuing that for a short way, arrived at the "Clearing" called the "Harvey Settlement," where a few men of our corps were then stationed. Here we left our heavy traps, to be forwarded at some future opportunity, and started on the way back to Fredericton. After a walk of about eleven miles, during which we killed some brace of partridges, we arrived at the Log Tavern, kept by a French Canadian, aud there found our waggon and horses. Seated in this, we speedily ran over the sixteen rough miles between us and head quarters, and at the last dinner-bugle found ourselves relating, in full conclave at the mess, the various adventures and mishaps of our first Sporting Ramble in New

Brunswick.

GAME AND THE GAME-LAWS.

Amongst the rapid changes, and what the world is pleased to designate improvements of the present age, the sporting part of the community cannot but regret the effect which increasing civilization and over-population has had upon the country recreations and pursuits of once merrie England. It is true that we possess many advantages and luxuries which, but comparatively few years ago, were almost unheard of; amongst them the high state of perfection to which travelling has been brought by steam, is undoubtedly the

first, and the most serviceable to the public. Yet, to this may, in a great measure, be traced the increasing scarcity of game throughout England, coupled with the high perfection to which the science of shooting has been brought. In former times, when percussion-caps had been unheard of, to bag half the number of shots was thought very decent practice; but now it would be considered sad bungling. This is a great reason for the increasing deficiency of game generally, except in some favoured spots where it is rigidly preserved; and the many and various attempts to bring about a repeal of the present laws bid fair to accomplish its total extinction. Now, although to those indifferent to field-sports this may appear but a trifling subject to engross much of the public attention, yet its results might prove of more consequence than we might first be led to suppose. The attractions presented by well-stocked preserves and abundant covers, to those whose tastes would, were such inducements wanting, lead them to pass their time in the metropolis, or on the continent, give the landlord and tenant an opportunity of mutual intercourse. The farmer is able to state any grievance in person, which may have arisen from the carelessness or misconduct of the agent or steward; the owner will also have it in his power to inquire into all the details of his estate, to become acquainted with the condition of his labourers and dependants, and to diffuse among them the proceeds of their exertions, instead of spending it amongst strangers. The preservation also of foxes is more closely connected with that of game than many are aware of. The latter forms almost wholly their subsistence-a fact often disputed, but yet a true one, and few preservers grudge a few head annually for that purpose. The scarcity of food consequent upon the reduction or removal of the penalty for poaching would be tolerably sure to drive Reynard to the hen-roosts for subsistence, and as even now he is regarded with no friendly eye by the tenantry of the hunting districts, his doom would then be unquestionably sealed.

At this time, when there is little of interest stirring to excite attention, the public mind is directed to the re-modelment of the gamelaws, and therefore every case, however remotely connected with the subject, is diligently sought for and brought to view. The grossest act of poaching is modified into a case rather for our commiseration than for punishment, and the legal enforcement of those powers granted for their suppression is misconstrued into an act of tyranny and injustice. That a bill of this description will be brought forward ere long is evident. Its success will, to say the least, be very problematical. The very considerable number of true sportsmen who compose the legislation will, let us hope, prevent it from being made only a party question, in which case its relative merits or demerits would be lost sight of, and the question would dwindle into a mere trial of party strength. Unless required by urgent necessity, the repeal of an existing law, especially one of a recent date, should be cautiously avoided. It is frequently essential that, from time to time, the present code should be altered to keep pace with the times and variation of custom, which render such changes necessary; but in the present instance the case is widely different. The sensible dimi

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nution of game of late years would rather require some fresh method to be found for their increase, than their total destruction, a result which would inevitably ensue from the proposed measure. One of the chief reasons urged is this: that crime, e. g. poaching, would be lessened by diminishing one of its incentives, e. g. game. But what would the poacher say if poaching was no longer punished, or only slightly, as an offence? He would say this to himself:-"So I have been fined, threatened, imprisoned, for knocking over a hare or a pheasant; and now it seems that I have been right, and the law wrong; so now I will blaze away, like my betters, with impunity." Such a view would most assuredly be taken of it by this class. They would be convinced that all the time they had been right, and the law wrong, and this step had been taken to redress the error. They would not look to the policy of the change, but only to the real facts. It might be urged that this would be an argument against the repeal of any law that might be proposed, and that the abrogation or modification of any statute which might be deemed requisite would be liable to the same question; but there is no political expediency in the present case. It appears to me, I confess, an excess of philanthropy to sacrifice one of the most healthful and favourite of our national amusements, in order that there might be no inducement for any idle fellows to trespass upon our property. It is said that they cannot understand why game should be made private property. This is a mere excuse. The poacher is always conscious that he is acting against the law; that killing a pheasant is equally a crime with stealing a duck or a chicken from a farm-yard; and since he is aware of this, he has no excuse; game has been made property, and therefore he knows the punishment to which he becomes liable. One more of the reasons adduced is the injury done to the crops of the farmer. But are not these damages, with hardly an exception, always made good? The newspapers are now teeming with anecdotes of the number of acres of grain destroyed, and the injuries committed by rabbits to fences and young plantations; but such instances are comparatively rare, and when game abounds to that extent, the landowner is generally both able and willing to make ample compensation to the tenants.

I have suggested these few remarks in hope that they might meet the eyes of some influential readers, who might assist in averting so serious an evil to the interests of all who are attached to field-sports. I trust, however, that these fears are unfounded, and that the opponents to the measure are sufficiently numerous to effectually arrest the proposed step-one which threatens to annihilate an amusement so innocent in itself, so generally pursued, and so congenial to the tastes and habits of our countrymen.

D.