216 FRj\NK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



taki'ii the water, and were making for the main-land on our 

 side. Sal);;lis!e made swiitly ior tlie shore, and springing on 

 tlie liaiik hke a greyhound, arrived fortunately in time to head 

 the M(iost> off. Adella had by this time gained a position on the 

 other sidt^ of the river, so that the ]Moose were obliged to make 

 the be.st of their way n]) the lapid, or run the gauntlet between 

 our canoes. The pursuit now again commenced. The canoes 

 were nearly abreast, and again the Indians strove for superi- 

 oriiy. But now the greater strength and bottom of Sabatisie 

 told : the current ran at least six miles an hour, yet did he 

 force his light vessel steadily and quietly up the stream, so that 

 we were soon far in advance. At length we \A'ere within 

 range of the Moose, but still Sabatisie held on. ' Sartain 

 brother Meadows no shoot till I tell you.' We were now 

 not fifty yards from the Moose, when Sabatisie, choosing a good 

 opportunity, placed his pole on the rocky bottom, and dexter- 

 ously held the canoe as firm and motionless as a rock. ' Now, 

 brother !' A violent plunge showed my ball had not erred, 

 and the monstrous carcase came rolling down the current. 

 Adella and Howard passed on in pursuit of the other Moose, 

 which was some distance ahead. 



" I had been so much interested in the chase, that I had not 

 noticed the great change which had taken place in the weather. 

 The atmosphere, which a short time before was bright and 

 cloudless, had suddenly become darkened — the air was thick 

 and sultry — at intervals the angry growl of distant thunder 

 could be heard, and the treea of the suiTounding forest appear- 

 ed to moan and sigh, as if dreading the approaching tempest. 

 Sabatisie's face — which till now had glowed with all the enthu- 

 siasm of the chase — grew serious, and casting a glance at the 

 sharp rocks and perpendicular cliffs on each side (jf the foaming 

 rapid, he hailed Howard. ' Better turn back, brother — sartain 

 very bad,' said he, pointing to the lowering clouds, which were 

 becoming every moment more dark : ' better come back and 

 haul up canoe before storm come.' 'Hallo! Sabatisie,' cried 

 Howard, 'no shirkiiifr, with such a fellow as that before us! 



