HIS IMMERSION. 1 23 



me, not only for that day, but for many to come. In this 

 matter, however, I was in error; for as the forward move- 

 ment when one is on Skidor is made with the left foot, the 

 right being merely drawn after it, I managed, though in 

 pain, to hobble forwards tolerably well. 



For a time the dogs kept well with the elk ; and from hearing 

 their challenges every now and then in the distance, we were 

 enabled to make many a short cut, and thus to gain on him 

 considerably. Once whilst crossing a large lake, divested 

 in great degree of snow, the deer, as we observed by his 

 tracks, had slipped on the glassy surface, and fallen heavily ;* 

 but the tumble seemed in no way to have injured him, for 

 he had picked himself up again, and speeded on his way as 

 if nothing had happened. 



In spite of our best exertions, it was long past mid-day 

 before we sighted the deer on an open morass, as he was 

 crossing a frozen brook ; but the ice gave way beneath his 

 weight, and he was instantly plunged into the water. In a 

 few seconds afterwards, however, he landed on the opposite 

 bank, apparently none the worse for his bath, and continued 

 his course. 



Later in the day we rested a while, and then renewed 

 the chase. But our strength and spirits had by this time 



* Some two or three years ago, whilst the people, after divine service, were 

 returning from Fryksiinde church in Werm eland, they met an elk, but whether 

 hunted or not was unknown, which, to avoid them, diverged from his course, 

 and made across the lake Fryken. But the ice being slippery, the animal 

 fell; and either during the fall, or the subsequent attempts to rise, he 

 wounded himself so severely, that when put on to his legs again by the 

 spectators, he was unable to retreat. He was therefore left helpless on the 

 strand the Lansman, who was present, saying, that as the deer was Crown 

 property, no one must molest him. 



