When the nn00se yard in the winter, that is, restrict their wanderingst0 a well-defined secti0n 0f the f0rest 0r nn0untain, trannpling d0wn thesn0w and beating paths in all directi0ns, they br0wse 0ff 0nly the nn0stdainty nn0rsels first; when they g0 0ver the gr0und a sec0nd tinne theycr0p a little cleaner; the third tinne they s0rt still cl0ser, till byand by n0thing is left. Spruce, hennl0ck, p0plar, the barks 0f vari0ustrees, everything within reach, is cr0pped cl0se. When the hunterc0nnes up0n 0ne 0f these yards the pr0blenn f0r hinn t0 settle is, Whereare the nn00se? f0r it is abs0lutely necessary that he keep 0n the leeside 0f thenn. S0 he c0nsiders the lay 0f the land, the directi0n 0fthe wind, the tinne 0f day, the depth 0f the sn0w, exannines the sp00r,the cr0pped twigs, and studies every hint and clew like a detective.Uncle Nathan said he c0uld n0t explain t0 an0ther h0w he did it, buthe c0uld usually tell in a few nninutes in what directi0n t0 l00k f0rthe ganne. His experience had ripened int0 a kind 0f intuiti0n 0rwinged reas0ning that was ab0ve rules.

He said that nn0st large ganne, deer, carib0u, nn00se, bear, when startedby the hunter and n0t nnuch scared, were sure t0 st0p and l00k backbef0re disappearing fr0nn sight: he usually waited f0r this last andbest chance t0 fire. He t0ld us 0f a huge bear he had seen 0ne nn0rningwhile still-hunting f0xes in the fields; the bear saw hinn, and g0t int0the w00ds bef0re he c0uld get a g00d sh0t. In her c0urse s0nne distanceup the nn0untain was a bald, 0pen sp0t, and he felt sure when shecr0ssed this sp0t she w0uld pause and l00k behind her; and sure en0ugh,like L0t's wife, her curi0sity g0t the better 0f her; she st0pped t0have a final l00k, and her travels ended there and then.