258 STORTING ADVENTURES IN THE FAR WEST. 



him, ho bounded suddenly on his legs, and charged mo 

 with the greatest impetuosity; but, though surprised, I 

 did not wait the onslaught, but dodged behind a large 

 tree, and, ere he could bear down on me, I had reloaded 

 my rifle and given him its contents directly through one of 

 his huge ears with a result most fatal to him, for he fell 

 dead in his tracks. After enjoying my victory, and medi- 

 tating for a short time on the law of compensation and the 

 result of accidental circumstances, I started in search of 

 camp once more. 



Hoping that my companions were out looking for me, I 

 commenced shouting as loudly as I could, but no respon- 

 sive voice came back except the echoes of the forest. See- 

 ing I could do nothing in that way, I tried firing the rifle ; 

 and though every tree and shrub seemed to carry its deto- 

 nations afar, I listened in vain for the welcome answer. 

 After travelling, shouting, and firing for three hours, and 

 trying to retrace my footsteps — a feat which was beyond 

 my power, owing to the various directions in which they 

 led — I sat down near a small lake, as I was somewhat faint 

 from hunger, and I wanted to think out, if possible, how I 

 could extricate myself from the perilous situation in which 

 I was placed. After a short rest, and a delightful drink of 

 water, which revived me very much, I commenced explor- 

 ing the lake to see if I could find a canoe upon it, or any 

 indications that it was visited by man, even at a remote 

 period. My explorations were futile, however, for I did 

 not find a vestige of a human being in any direction. 

 Thoroughly disheartened, I sat down once more to indulge 

 in another painful meditation, and, while musing on my dis- 

 agreeable situation, my heart gave a tremendous bound ; 

 for I heard afar off the call of the moose, and knowing it 

 did not cry in the daytime, I felt it was the signal of my 

 companions. Noting carefully whence the sound came — 

 for woods, owing to their echoing character, are often de- 

 ceptive — I started toward it at a brisk pace, and answered 

 it occasionally by a loud halloo, and after walking about 

 half an hour had the satisfaction of hearing it closer to me. 



