254 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



body was partly immersed, aroused me from my 

 fainting fit. On regaining my senses, I felt calmer 

 than I had done for some time ; my mind was more 

 tranquil, and yet I had been so bitterly disap- 

 pointed. I thought over the efforts I had made 

 to preserve my miserable existence, and I said to 

 myself, " What is the use of struggling any longer 

 against my fate, and, after all, what will death be 

 but an end of my misery ? " As this crossed my 

 mind, a last caprice seized me, to die on a mossy 

 bank under the shadow of the trees. I summoned 

 up all my strengtli to reach that spot, but on rising 

 from the ground I fell back again several times. At 

 length, however, the desire of dying upon that mossy 

 bank got such hold upon me that I dragged myself 

 up, went to pick up my rifle, and crawled to the 

 clump of trees. Here, at any rate, I would die in 

 peace. I barely managed to reach the foot of the 

 hill, and there I lay down upon the moss with 

 my gun by my side. I now thought that my last 

 hour was come, and shut my eyes, calmly awaiting 

 death. 



What visions I saw as I lay m this state, I cannot 

 recall. I only know that, after some time, feeling 

 a momentary accession of strength, I opened my 

 eyes, and saw an enormous squirrel playing among 

 the branches. On seeing this, the love of life re- 

 turned, for I saw safety for my own life in the death 

 of the poor squirrel. With feeble hands and failing 



