REINDEER 127 



in his furs, he appeared more like a fledgling in 

 its nest than anything else. We descended to 

 the river through a superb evening. We were 

 compelled to follow the torrent for some distance, 

 because it was too deep for wading and too 

 swift for swimming. We decided not to cross 

 until we came to the delta. Even there the 

 water reached half way up the thigh, and we 

 were compelled to battle with a strong current ; but 

 all being used to this kind of exercise we regained 

 the other shore in safety, where a boat awaited 

 us. It was 8.30 P.M. when we returned aboard. 

 We had been absent twelve and a half hours, 

 out of which we had only rested for three- 

 quarters of an hour to lunch, make observations, 

 and clean the deer. We dined with tremendous 

 appetites. Wearied as I was, I retired early 

 after a day which would have satisfied Saint 

 Hubert himself in those days before he renounced 

 stag-hunting. 



