counter the fatigues and privations of a residence in the woods, they sometimes afford good sport, although, to say the truth, the chase is not always successful, nor the aggregate result of the winter hunting-parties very destructive to the wary race against which they are directed. The carraboo, when adorned with his lofty antlers, is a majestic animal. He is evidently of the rein-deer species, and nature has wonderfully adapted him for traversing with rapidity and ease the snowy regions he inhabits, and for eluding the pursuit of his enemies, while his expanding hoof enables him to pass swiftly over the deepest snow: his back sinews, cased, as it were, with bone, are so well protected, that he suffers little injury from the crust or frozen surface of the snow, which proves so fatal to the moose and smaller deer; and his senses of smelling and of hearing are, like all his species, so acute, that he is only to be approached with the utmost care and caution. Indeed, if there should be the slightest crust upon the snow, it is quite useless to attempt to get within shot of him.

The hunting-season is in winter, and, when parties are formed, one or two Indians usually accompany them, whose duty it is to select the bivouac on an eligible spot, in the vicinity of some favourite resort of the game, and where, well sheltered from the wind, with an immense fire and a good supply of skins, the hunters may remain for days together, without experiencing any ill effects from the cold. Deer of every kind are often found in what the Indians call a yard; that is, a space of more or less extent, according to the strength of the herd, trodden down by the animals until it assumes the form of an enclosure surrounded by walls of snow; and these self-made traps sometimes prove very destructive to their occupants, when attacked with the cunning of the wily Indian ; but the carraboo are much more frequently killed in the frozen morasses, and barren or extensive plains, which are at all seasons the favourite station of these animals, yielding, as they do in great abundance, the berries, herbs, and wild grasses upon which they feed. The native hunter usually conducts the operations of the chase; and, with only the track of game to guide him, the sagacity with which he forms and executes his plans seldom fails to conduct him to his object. With the stealthy caution of the cat, he draws upon his prey, availing himself of every inequality of the ground, and, above all things, taking care to approach the herd up-wind; and, if hunting by himself, he will generally creep within thirty or forty yards of his object before he trusts the result to the accuracy of his miserable weapon; but there are few unpractised Europeans who would succeed in approaching so near; some awkwardness or imprudence would betray them, and it is not every man who can bring down a carraboo at eighty or a hundred yards, even with one of Purdey's best rifles.

Moose-hunting is conducted in another way. The hunters in this case must run down the game; and deep snow, with a thick crust, are almost certain guarantees of success, when good dogs and resolute walkers are once upon his track; but it is not every winter that produces that sort of weather which is best suited to the chase. To enjoy this sport, it is necessary to cross the Bay of Fundy, where these noble animals are still numerous, and, as many people believe, upon the increase; a belief that may very fairly be admitted, if we are to form an opinion on the subject from the few which are annually killed by the hunting-parties, whether native or European, which go out in quest of

them. The bivouac and preliminary arrangements are the same as in New Brunswick; and, the Indian having found the track of game, his well-trained and sagacious dogs are slipped upon it. The hunters follow on their snow-shoes, and, if circumstances favour them, will sometimes run the moose down in the course of a few hours. At other times, when the snow is free from crust, and not sufficiently deep, parties have been known to follow him for days together, without getting even a view of him. Upon the whole, it must be owned that moose-hunting is a very uncertain sport; but it must also be confessed that fatigue, trouble, and former disappointment are forgotten and repaid when we do succeed in bringing to bay this monarch of the American woods, measuring nineteen or even twenty hands in height, and crowned with his towering and majestic antlers.

But, independent of the winter-hunting, the moose are exposed to the attacks of their enemies at other seasons; and it is perhaps in autumn that they suffer most, when they are allured to their fate by the Indian's deceitful imitation of their cry. In moose-calling, success mainly depends on the judicious selection of a station, on perfect concealment, and on the calmness of the weather, to prevent discovery from the animals' keen scent. The sportsmen must forego not only fire, but even the indulgence of a cigar; and it certainly requires some resolution to sit out a chill September or October night, under such circumstances, in expectation of a shot.

The party having reached its ground, and taken post, the Indian uses his call, which, if there be a moose within hearing, will generally be answered, and eventually bring the victim within reach of the sportsmen. It is a fine thing to see the gigantic beast trotting up, in expectation of meeting his mate, towards the spot where the party lies in ambush. Disappointed in not finding the object of his search, he hesitates— suspicion is awakened, and he gradually reduces his pace to reconnoitre. At length he halts-he is evidently alarmed-and now the fatal volley tells him that his fears were too well founded. This part of the sport is not without excitement; for a bull moose, if not brought down, will, at such times, not unfrequently charge furiously, and he is no plaything to come in contact with, one blow of his foot being quite sufficient to lay the strongest man prostrate.

The flesh of the moose is tender, and well tasted. The tongue and head are considered delicacies, and from the moufle, or muzzle, a rich soup is made, not much inferior to turtle-soup.

The carraboo venison is, at certain seasons, almost equal to the English fallow-deer; but the smaller deer are held in no estimation, and are indeed scarcely fit for table use.

There are no other wild animals which afford any sport. The wolves followed the moose into the adjoining state of Maine, and are now rarely to be met with, even on the frontier.

The bears are chiefly taken in traps, or killed on their marauding excursions in the neighbourhood of the back settlements; while the loup cervier, or small lynx, is seldom seen. He inhabits the thickest parts of the forest, and is said to be so exceedingly fierce, that he will not hesitate to attack those who assail him. I may thus conclude, as I began, by expressing the most unfavourable opinion of the field-sports of New Brunswick.

U. S. JOURN. No. 116, JULY, 1838.

X

ATTACK ON POINT AU PELEE ISLAND, IN UPPER CANADA, BY PART OF H.M. 32ND REGIMENT.

On the 2nd March, 1838, information was received at Amherstburg by Colonel Maitland, who commanded the 32nd Regiment, and the Western District, that a large body of brigands from the American side of Lake Erie had taken possession of Point au Pelée Island in Upper Canada; in what force could not be precisely ascertained, as the British inhabitants on the island had been made prisoners, and others who went to reconnoitre were fired at, and obliged to retreat without gaining any information. Captain Glasgow, Royal Artillery, was then sent to ascertain the state of the lake ice, and, as he reported it strong enough to bear the guns, Colonel Maitland determined to attack these marauders.

Point au Pelée Island is situated near the western extremity of Lake Erie, and about midway between the American and Upper Canadian shores; is nine miles in length, and about six miles across at the broadest part. There is a clearance of some acres at the northern extremity, where there is a lighthouse; but at the southern extremity a thick bush comes down to the water's edge. The intermediate surface of the island is covered with alternate strips of bush and swamp. On the east side there is a clearance, in which are some few scattered houses; the principal one belonging to Mr. M'Cormac, the owner of the island, who had been obliged to fly from his home some days previous, and the leaders of these marauders were living in his house. The lake on the east side was quite open: it never freezes over there: and it is to be remarked that at the southern end of the island, at a distance of not more than six or seven miles, there are two small American islands.

The force destined for this attack consisted of 4 companies of the 32nd Regiment, 1 of the 83rd, 2 6-pounders under the command of Captain Glasgow, Royal Artillery, some few Militia, and a small troop of Volunteer Cavalry of about 25 men. A sufficient number of sleighs having been procured for the transport of the men, the troops left Amherstburg about half-past five o'clock on the evening of the 2nd March, and kept the lake shore for about twenty miles, arriving at a small place called Colchester about ten o'clock. Here Colonel Maitland halted to rest the horses, and the people of the village, hearing that the soldiers were coming, had made every preparation for their comfort. About half-past one o'clock the next morning the expedition started from Colchester, leaving the lake shore, and striking off directly across the ice towards Point au Pelée Island. A guide was placed in the leading sleigh, and at first starting it was tolerably light; but before they had gone many miles across the lake it became quite dark, and all trace of the road was lost. It then became absolutely necessary to procure a light for the guide. One of the Volunteer Cavalry was sent back in search of one, who returned after some time with a lantern. After some delay and trouble the road was found again; but not being much beaten, they had great difficulty in keeping it. This unexpected and unfortunate delay prevented Colonel Maitland's making his dispo sitions for the attack before daybreak, which had been his intention;

besides which, as was afterwards ascertained, the moving light attracted the attention of the enemy, who were consequently warned of their approach.

Having travelled twenty miles across the lake, the troops arrived within a mile of the island shortly after daylight. Here a detachment, consisting of Captain Browne's and Captain Evelegh's companies of 32nd, a small number of the Volunteer Cavalry, and half-a-dozen Indians, branched off to the right to take up a position at the south end of the island, in order to be ready to intercept and cut off the retreat of the Americans to their own shore. Captain Browne's orders were to keep along the ice out of musket-shot of the bush. The main body proceeded onwards, and reached the island without opposition; though they saw thirty or forty armed men, who, however, took to their heels immediately, and were soon hid in the bush. Colonel Maitland sent to apprise Captain Browne of this circumstance. We shall now leave the main body, and follow the movements of Captain Browne's detachment, which proceeded at once to its destination; but not very easily, as the road was exceedingly rough, and covered with broken ice. From the point of separation to where Captain Browne's party halted and took up its position on the ice at the southern extremity of the island, was nine miles. After halting, seeing all quiet, the men piled arms, took off their greatcoats, and had their breakfast. Two of the Indians were sent into the wood to endeavour to procure information. One of them returned shortly, and reported that the main body of the brigands, amounting to between three and four hundred men, were coming down in the direction of Captain Browne's position, all well armed and with bayonets fixed, and that in less than half an hour he was quite certain they would arrive upon the ice. He also reported that he had not seen or heard anything of the main body of the troops under Colonel Maitland, but that he supposed they were in pursuit of these very fellows.

Captain Browne, though fully persuaded upon this that a party of the brigands was approaching, yet was strongly inclined to think the Indian's story much exaggerated; however, he soon proved himself entitled to credit, for in about half an hour, as he had stated, they began to come out of the bush from the south end of the island in very considerable numbers, and formed upon the ice. Much to the surprise of Captain Browne and his party, they formed regularly in line like a disciplined force, told off by files from right to left, and by threes, and made a considerable noise in doing so. They formed as near the bush as they could, and the officers attributed the deliberate and noisy mode of their proceedings either to bravado, and a wish to intimidate the soldiers by such a display of their superior force, or an endeavour to tempt them by so doing to make the first attack; intending, if they advanced, to retreat to the bush which was so close to them, and open a destructive fire from behind the trees. However, this ruse failed in its effect, for the soldiers remained perfectly steady in the position they had first taken up, which was out of musket-shot of the bush, as Colonel Maitland had directed. On their right flank, which was opposite the left of the 2nd company of the 32nd Regiment, the brigands threw out from thirty to forty skirmishers, all of whom, it was afterwards ascertained, were armed with rifles, and were their best shots. They took at least half an hour to complete these arrangements, but even then

Captain Browne did not believe they were determined on commencing an attack. At length the word Quick March was given by their leader (a man calling himself Major Hudley), and they came boldly on. Captain Browne's gallant little band, which only mustered ninety-five men, and those all young soldiers who had never been under fire before, then prepared to meet them. Finding that the enemy's line threatened completely to outflank his small force, Captain Browne ordered his files to extend to three paces' distance from each other, so as to show a better front, the American force being at least three times that of the troops. The former came on in good order, and the soldiers (who had been directed not to fire a shot until a positive command was given) remained perfectly steady until the fellows came within good. range, and then opened upon them with right good will. This fire arrested their advance, and they all went down upon one knee, and returned it immediately. A very brisk fire was kept up on both sides for about twenty minutes; however, the outlaws had a somewhat better position than that of Captain Browne, for the ice was very rough where they stood, which covered them a good deal. They, knowing that their only safe line of retreat was thus cut off, also expecting the main body of the troops in their rear, fought desperately; and being good marksmen (as, indeed, all the Americans are, from constant practice), the soldiers were falling very fast. At this crisis, seeing many of his brave fellows stretched upon the ice, Captain Browne judged it expedient to charge, and no sooner was the word given, than it was responded to by a loud cheer, and his men rushed on with the greatest impetuosity. At first the enemy stood firm, and appeared determined to resist the bayonet; but, as the soldiers neared them, they fired a volley which brought down eight of Captain Evelegh's left subdivision, and then they gave way and fled in all directions into the wood, where Captain Browne was unable to follow them, owing to the smallness of his force; he therefore at once withdrew his men to their original position, and re-formed, fully expecting a second attack.

The wounded men were sent to the rear; and on mustering the two companies, which originally amounted to 95 men, 30 had fallen,-a fearful proportion!-of these, 2 died almost immediately; 20 men severely, and 8 slightly wounded; of the former, 2 died within a week, and several lost limbs by amputation. The blue surtouts of the officers contrasting with the red coats of the men, rendered the former a very conspicuous mark, and attracted the enemy's fire towards them, but, though the officers received several balls through different parts of their dress, they most fortunately escaped unhurt.

About an hour after this affair the Americans were observed at a distance, upon the ice, making their escape towards their own shore: the few cavalry Captain Browne had with him were despatched in pursuit of them, but the ice was so dangerous in the direction in which they had escaped, and the ruffians had already got so far, that the cavalry could not succeed in overtaking any of them. On visiting the scene of conflict, Major Hudley, the commander of the American brigands, and 3 other of their leaders, and 7 of the men, were found dead; 11 more had been made prisoners, 5 of whom were wounded; but it was stated that they had sleighs concealed in the wood in which most of their wounded men were carried off; and their loss was great; for a week after this a gen