OR, THE LAKE LANDS OF CANADA. 211 



underbrush, and stagnant pools of water. We had not 

 followed the trail more than twenty rods when it was dis- 

 covered that the old bull moose had been joined by two 

 cows, and the trio had been very recently feeding in the 

 swamp. The captain was much elated by this discovery, 

 and confidently expressed the opinion that these animals 

 would be discovered lying down near the spot where the 

 browsing had taken place. Our leader was in high spirits ; 

 rapidly and noiselessly passed over all obstructions ; sighted 

 and carefully examined every object in the neighborhood 

 of the trail which we were following. 



He soon emerged from the swamp and commenced the 

 ascent of a hill where there were fewer obstructions to our 

 progress, but prior to his reaching this point the author 

 of these pages had fallen about six or seven rods to the 

 rear of the leader, although George Ross had succeeded 

 in keeping somewhat nearer. 



The captain's advance is now much more cautious ; he 

 evidently expects to find the moose on this high ground. 

 He takes a few steps forward, then halts, carefully surveys 

 ■ every object within the range of his vision, and has thus 

 approached within about seventy-five or eighty yards of 

 the summit of the hill which we are climbing. He has 

 suddenly halted again, and at the same instant thrown out 

 his right hand as a signal to his followers to be more cau- 

 tious in their movements. George Ross has cautiously 

 moved forward to his side ; but the gaze of our leader has 

 remained steadily fixed on some object in the immediate 

 front. He stands as immovable as the trunks of the o^reat 

 forest-trees with which we are surrounded. Behold him! 



