122 THE PINE-TREE, OR 



our discomfort, that we were altogether in doubt as to the direc- 

 tion proper to be pursued. However, we were not without our 

 opinions on the subject, though, unfortunately, these opinions dif- 

 fered. We finally separated into two parties, four supposing that 

 the camp lay in a particular direction, while two of us enter- 

 tained nearly opposite views. The gun was retained by the four, 

 while the dog followed myself and comrade. We had not sep- 

 arated more than five minutes, when the dog started two fine 

 moose. The other party, being within hail, soon joined us in the 

 pursuit. 



" As the snow was deep, and crusted sufficiently hard to bear 

 us upon snow-shoes, while the moose broke through at every 

 leap, we were soon sufficiently near them to allow a good shot. 

 One of the men approached within a few yards of the hinder- 

 most, and fired. The ball took effect, but did not stop him. Still 

 pursuing, another ball was lodged in his body, when he turned 

 at bay. It was now our turn to retreat ; but, after making a few 

 bounds toward us, he turned and fled again, when we again came 

 up to the charge. I took the gun this time, and approached 

 within fifteen feet of him, and fired. He dropped instantly upon 

 the snow. Supposing him dead, we left the spot and pursued 

 the other with all possible dispatch, for there was not a moment 

 to lose, as the fugitive, alarmed by the report of the gun, was 

 redoubling his exertions to effect his escape. The dog, however, 

 soon came upon him and retarded his flight. Emboldened in 

 his successful encounter with the other, Rover dashed incau- 

 tiously upon him, but nearly paid the forfeit of his life. The 

 moose gave him a tremendous blow with one of his sharp hoofs, 

 which made him cry out till the woods echoed with his piteous 

 howl. In vain did we try to induce him to renew the encoun- 

 ter. His passion for the chase seemed effectually cooled ; so we 

 were obliged to abandon the pursuit, and the more readily, as the 

 day was now quite spent. We returned to dress the one we had 



