214 FRANK FOKESTER S FIELD SrOll'IS. 



gti-;ili:)n — wlicthcr he Itranl or snirlf tliom — T cannot he ex- 

 pec-tetl to know ; hut since my ranihles with the Indians, I ''an 

 beheve ahnost any tale of their extraordinary sagacity in dis- 

 covering objects at a distance, tracking, &c., &c. The bank 

 on whicli we were reposing, was a small peninsula, jutting into 

 the river. Between us and the Moose, there was a thick clump 

 of alders which reached to the water's edge ; hut beyond them 

 the bank was clear some distance down, so that it was impossi- 

 ble to get within range of the Moose from the land. A council 

 was held, when Sabatisie proposed we should carry the canoes 

 a short distaiice up the stream, embark, and coming rapidly 

 down the river, dash round the point, and we mig](t be on the 

 game before they could gain the woods. This plan was quick- 

 ly adopted. We embarked aliout two hundred yards up the 

 stream. My rifle was half up, my thuml) on the hammer, and 

 my heart beating with anxiety, when we dashed round the 

 point with the rapidity of a hawk pouncing on its prey. I scan- 

 ned the broad surface of the stream — but, alas ! the Moose were 

 not visible. In silence and disappointment we glided quietly 

 some distance down the rapid, and had given up all hopes of 

 the Moose, ^vhen a cheery cry from Howard told me he hail 

 the game in view, and in a few seconds I got sight of their 

 enormous antlers. The Moose were making the best of theii 

 way down the stream, and so swift was their pace that I suppo- 

 sed it useless to attempt pureuit ; but not so the Indians. The 

 river in this part was tortuous, and the rocky and abrupt banks 

 were bounded by tall pei'pendicular cliffs. Sabatisie, grasping 

 his pole more finiily, and keeping time Avith foot and hand, sent 

 the light hark spinning through, or more properly over, the 

 rapid torrent : she actually seemed to fly from wave to wave. 

 Casting my glance back, I sa\Y that Adella had no idea of 

 being beaten in the cliase ; and though the toiTcnt was at 

 this point foaming against sharp rocks, the gallant young 

 Indian, instead of following the regular course of the stream, 

 dashed directly across, and by that manoeuvre placed his canot; 

 some distance in advance of ours. For an instant, after per- 



