146 



THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



CHAPTER VIII. 



DRYING VENISON A GRAND AND BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAIN GORGE THE MEETING 

 AT THE BEAVER-DAM OUR PHOTOGRAPHER LOST IN THE WILDERNESS A 

 LONELY NIGHT ON BUCK LAKE THE HORRIBLE DREAM THE LOST MAN 

 FOUND THE UNEXPECTED MEETING WITH A BULL MOOSE. 



HE preparation for the moose-hunt 

 was now commenced by cutting the 

 flesh of the deer, which we had just 

 killed, into strips or slices, and dry- 

 ing the same on a scaffold erected 

 for the purpose over our camp-fire. 

 This labor, however, did not inter- 

 fere seriously with the continuation of deer-hunting, trout- 

 fishing, and bird-shooting ; but, inasmuch as we have fully 

 described these sports, we shall hereafter entirely omit, or 

 pass very rapidly over, them, lest a too frequent repetition 

 of that which is very interesting may become monotonous. 



We remained on this lake ten days, during which 

 period the venison was fully dried, and we had a very 

 enjoyable time. The weather was generally very pleasant, 

 although we had a slight snow-storm and occasional rains. 

 The photographer took many negatives, and among others, 

 a view of our camp, which appears as a frontispiece in this 

 book. Game was found here in great abundance, and our 

 larder was always well supplied ; in fact, there was no time 

 during our stay on this lake when we had not plenty of 

 venison, trout, and ruffed grouse ; nor was it found ne- 



