■2 1 8 THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



the required preparation for the night. The pack, which 

 the captain was carrying at the moment when he discovered 

 the moose-track near Trout Lake, still remained where he 

 had then dropped it. It was with some regrets that we 

 started on this retrograde movement, since we still thought 

 that another hour spent in the search would probably be re- 

 warded by the capture of the wounded animal. Neverthe- 

 less, we were greatly cheered by the results that had already 

 been obtained, and we now retraced our steps with light 

 hearts and speedy action. While thus retracing our steps 

 we were naturally led to take a retrospective view of our 

 doings during the day. In the morning we had started 

 from our camp in joyful anticipation of successes just about 

 to be realized. These pleasant anticipations were the natu- 

 ral outgrowth of the discovery of several herds of moose 

 in the vicinity of our camp on the previous day. We had 

 set forth in the morning in full expectation that before noon 

 we should be able to kill one or more moose ; at one 

 o'clock we had returned to our camp sadly disappointed by 

 a complete failure. In the afternoon, while wearily trudg- 

 ing along without any seemingly reasonable expectation of 

 discovering the prize we sought, we had fortunately struck 

 the single trail, which being followed, soon brought us to 

 the full realization of our most joyous anticipations. Such 

 are the results obtained in our various pursuits in life by 

 industrious and persevering labor, which in the end brings 

 its reward, although the prize is frequently attained when 

 least expected. Dame Nature is apparently an inveterate 

 coquette, who must be industriously and perseveringly 

 courted for a long time, when she will turn, at some un- 



