iSSS-Sg.] A Sporting Tour in Norivay. 223 



result of crossing a fresh spoor. I need not again describe 

 the hunt, further than to say that we observed the elk had 

 been feeding from side to side, tearing off the leaves of birch 

 and mountain-ash as he had passed, and that in a short time 

 we came to the bed where he had lain down for the day, and 

 where no doubt we had aroused him in his slumbers. The 

 spoor indicated a large bull, and as he had crossed some wet 

 ground, we saw that the water was still muddy in his tracks. 

 Knowing, therefore, he could not be many minutes in advance, 

 we slipped Bjune, who went off in pursuit at a rapid pace. 

 As we were going upwind, Nor, now with his head in the air, 

 pulled the keeper on, as if impelled by some irresistible 

 instinct. Following on for half an hour, we heard in the dis- 

 tance the pleasing music of Bjune, and knew that at last the 

 elk was at bay. Loading my rifle, and guided by the sound, 

 we ran on as fast as we were able, leaving Helge to follow the 

 trail with ISTor. Fortunately it was downhill, and the ground 

 not being very rough, we were able to proceed at a rapid pace. 

 When within a few hundred yards the elk broke bay and 

 made off, though, judging by the barking of the dog, only at 

 a walk. By this time we were going up an incline, and, 

 panting with fatigue, we hurried on as hard as our limbs and 

 lungs would allow. Fortunately the chase continued little 

 over a mile, when we knew by the altered bark of the dog 

 that he again had the elk at bay. Getting near, great caution 

 was necessary, as if the elk got sight of us, or heard the snap 

 of a stick beneath our feet, he would again break, and possibly 

 add miles to the chase. Observing that Bjune barked for 

 about twenty seconds, then stopped to take a breath and 

 began again, we took advantage of his noise, and stealthily 

 approached. Anticipating his becoming quiet, we stood mo- 

 tionless till the noise again began, and in this manner got 

 within about a hundred yards of the object of our pursuit. 

 Peering through among the trees, for the first time in my life 

 I got my eyes on a living elk in his native solitude. What a 

 monster ! He reminded me of Jumbo, and I could not but 

 admire him. " Shoot, shoot ! " whispered my companion, and 

 I silently cocked the rifle. With heaving chest, occasioned 

 by the long run, I put the rifle to my shoulder and tried to 

 take an aim. The dog was right between the elk and me, and 



