OR, THE LAKE LANDS OF CANADA. 141 



while he was swimming majestically without fear or even 

 anxiety. We stood nearly half an hour watching the 

 movements of this deer, since we could not safely move 

 lest we should be discovered by the game and give him 

 an opportunity to return to his forest home. The reader 

 should remember that this animal took to the water from 

 the shore nearly opposite to the point on which we were 

 standing, that the deer swam almost directly towards us 

 until he reached the middle of the stream, then turned 

 downward, which gave us, in due time, an opportunity to 

 come in unperceived behind him. Patiently we awaited 

 this opportune moment. When it arrived, the canoe, which 

 had been drawn up on the shore near us, was quietly 

 shoved out upon the water. Ross gently stepped to the 

 stern with his paddle in hand, steadied our little bark while 

 I entered its bow, where I seated myself and placed my 

 rifle at my right side. Ross carefully pushed the little 

 craft from its moorings, placed himself on his knees in that 

 part of the canoe which properly trimmed it, and silently 

 plied his paddle. 



The little canoe moved noiselessly but rapidly forward, 

 every stroke of the paddle bringing us nearer to the game. 

 There was another paddle lying near my hand ; I seized it 

 and gave a helping hand, greatly increasing the speed. 

 Forward, forward we went ! We were unperceived, al- 

 thou^jh within ten rods of a beautiful buck, which was 

 swimming in the middle of the lake directly before us. 

 My paddle was changed for my rifle. Nearer, still nearer 

 we approached. The rifle was raised ; the bead was drawn, 

 just below the base of the animal's skull. We were six 



