THE iMOOSE 91 



upon the limpid surface of the lake. The bull came 

 on with a rush, pushed through the bushes, slid grunt- 

 ing down the bank, and stood knee-deep in the water, 

 as William, 'still paddling,' shoved the canoe noise- 

 lessly up to him and I opened the jack. There was a 

 full moon shining down over my right shoulder. This 

 and the slight mist rising from the lake made the 

 jack's light glow dimly, but I could see quite plainly 

 enough to note that the animal was a three- or four- 

 year-old, with fifteen prongs to a shapely set of horns, 

 so there was no need whatever of getting up any 

 closer, and when the bull lowered his head and sucked 

 in a long drink (as I solemnly aver, though William 

 says he simply drew in a deep breath to catch our 

 scent), and then raised his great muzzle, inflated his 

 nostrils with a long-drawn * w-o-o-o-f,' and took a step 

 toward us, I did not care to have him come any 

 nearer. I could see all of him I wished to see from 

 where I was. 



" I don't know what made me glance over my right 

 shoulder — perhaps it was to let William know that I 

 appreciated his skill in putting me up so close ; but I 

 happened to catch sight of the moon and the jack- 

 stick, and the jack-stick was slowly crossing the face of 

 the moon — the canoe was noiselessly and impercep- 

 tibly gliding nearer and nearer to the bull. I whis- 

 pered : ' Keep away ! I don't want another moose to 

 get aboard the boat ! ' and I could feel the canoe shake 

 with William's silent, cruel laughter. This time I had 

 to look up, for I vow the nose of the canoe was almost 

 between his forelegs, and I could see the 'ruff rise 

 and stiffen on his hump. Mine did the same. At least 



