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 A WAPITI DUEL, 2i7 and Sabine were positive on that point, and could even have named the species to which the animals belonged. " You seem surprised to have met with traces of these animals here, Lieutenant," said Mrs Barnett. "Well, madam," replied Hobson, "this species is rarely seen beyond 57" N. lat. We generally hunt them at the south of the Slave Lake, where they feed upon the shoots of willows and poplars, and certain wild roses to which th^ are very partial." " I suppose these creatures, like those with valuable furs, have fled from the districts scoured by the hunters." " I see no other explanation of their presence at Qo° N. lat," replied the Lieutenant — " that is, if the men are not mistaken as to the origin of the footprints." "No, no, sir," cried Sabine; "Marbre and I are not mistaken. These traces were left by deer, the deer we hunters call red deer, and the natives wapitis." " He is quite right," added Marbre ; " old trappers like us are not to be taken in ; besides, don't you hear that peculiar whistling sound?" The party had now reached the foot of a little hill, and as the snow had almost disappeared from its sides they were able to climb it, and hastened to the summit, the peculiar whistling noticed by Marbre becoming louder, mingled with cries resembling the braying of an ass, and proving that the two hunters were not mistaken. Once at the top of the hill, the adventurers looked eagerly towards the east. The undulating plains were still white with snow, but its dazzling surface was here a!id there relieved with patches of stunted light green vegetation. A few gaunt shrubs stretched forth their bare and shrivelled branches, and huge icebergs with precipitous sides stood out against the grey background of the sky. " Wapitis ! wapitis ! — there they are ! " cried Sabine and Marbre at once, pointing to a group of animals distinctly visible about a quarter of a mile to the east. " What are they doing 1 " asked Mrs Barnett. when the heat of the Polar sun inflames their blood — another deplorable result of the action of the radiant orb of day ! " From where they stood the party could easily watch the group of wapitis. They were fine specimens of the family of deer known under the various names of stags with rounded antlers, American
 * ' They are fighting, madam," replied Hobson ; " they always do