Part 24 (1/2)
Their principal object of pursuit, however, was the musk-ox, which Parry had met with in such numbers in Melville Island; but not a solitary specimen was to be seen anywhere about Victoria Bay, and a distant excursion was, therefore, resolved upon, which would serve the double purpose of hunting and surveying the eastern coast
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The three hunters, accompanied by Duk, set out on Monday, the 17th of June, at six in the un, a hatchet and snow-knife, and provisions for several days
It was a fine bright one twelvehad crossed their path, and the hunt threatened to turn out a ood breakfast and half-an-hour's rest
The ground was getting gradually lower, and presented a peculiar appearance froes un wind is lashi+ng up the waves, and cresting them with a white foa they reached a sort of glen, at the botto river It was almost completely thawed, and already the banks were clothed with a species of vegetation, as if the sun had done his best to fertilise the soil
”I tell you what,” said the Doctor, ”a few enterprising colonists ht make a fine settleht be done in this country Ah! if I am not much mistaken, it has some four-footed inhabitants already
Those frisky little fellows know the best spots to choose”
”Hares! I declare That's jolly!” said Altaun
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”Stop!” cried the Doctor; ”stop, you furious hunter Let the poor little things alone; they are not thinking of running away
Look, they are actually coht, for presently three or four young hares, ga the fresh s so fearlessly and trustfully, that even Altamont was disare and touching spectacle to see the pretty creatures--they flew on Clawbonny's shoulders, etc--P169]
rubbed against the Doctor's knees, and let hi to Altaive shot to those who come for caresses? The death of these little beasts could do us no good”
”You say what's true, Clawbonny Let them live!” replied Hatteras
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”And these ptared plovers,” added Alta the hunters, never suspecting their danger Duk could not tell what to e and touching spectacle to see the pretty creatures; they flew on Clawbonny's shoulders, and lay down at his feet as if inviting friendly caresses, and doing their utlen echoed with their joyous cries as they darted to and fro frohty enchanter
The hunters had continued their course along the banks of the river, when a sudden bend in the valley revealed a herd of deer, eight or ten in nu on some lichens that lay half-buried in the snow They were charentle, male and fe and deeply-notched Their skin had already lost its winter whiteness, and began to assue to say, they appeared not a whit more afraid than the birds or hares
The three ht in the centre of the herd, but not one made the least movement to run away This ti Altanificent ani instincts, and he became quite excited; while Hatteras, on the contrary, see their heads so affectionately and trustfully against the good Clawbonny, the friend of every living thing
”But, I say,” exclaimed Altamont, ”didn't we come out expressly to hunt?”
”To hunt theelse,” replied Clawbonny