232 CAMP-FIRES OF A NATURALIST. 



hundreds of acres of cranberries and blueberries in 

 the swamp, and while to all appearances the surface 

 was firm ground, it was in reality a most treacherous 

 place, for at any moment the hunter might sink to 

 his hips in water. Here were found so many evi- 

 dences of moose that the hunters were satisfied that 

 they had at last reached the right place. All was 

 going well and the indications pointed to a successful 

 moose-hunt, when Brown had the misfortune to let 

 his axe slip and cut his foot between the heel and 

 ankle. Dyche had gone for wood, and when he re- 

 turned he saw his companion rolling on the ground 

 and moaning. The flow of blood could not be 

 stopped for several minutes. The wound was dressed, 

 but Brown was compelled to lie still for several days, 

 while to Dyche fell the greater part of camp work 

 and all the hunting. 



East from the camp there stretched a great meadow, 

 and it became a daily habit for one of the hunters to 

 mount the wagon and examine this open place for 

 any possible indication of game. After Brown's 

 foot had begun to heal and he was doing light work 

 about the camp, he was dissuaded with difficulty 

 from going out to hunt. One morning Dyche was 

 standing on the wagon scrutinising the meadow, when 

 he called to Brown in a low but excited voice. Brown 

 climbed up as quickly as his lame foot would permit. 



"What is it?" 



"There, don't you see them? Just at the edge of 

 the timber." 



Brown eagerly scanned the country with field- 

 glasses and at last caught sight of the animals. 



