THE MOOSE, OR ELK. 87 



if nearly approached. An old Indian hunter had one day 

 followed up a moose, and wounded the animal, when it turned 

 on him. There being no tree near, he jammed himself for 

 safety between two large granite boulders which were at 

 hand. The aperture, however, did not extend far enough 

 back to enable him to get altogether out of the reach of 

 the infuriated bull, which set on him with its fore-feet, 

 and pounded him so severely that several of his ribs were 

 broken ; indeed, for several years afterwards he was nearly 

 bent double by the severe beating he had received. 



In the summer, when the plague of flies commences, the 

 moose takes to the water to avoid their bites. There are 

 several species — one termed the moose-fly — which are equally 

 annoying to the hunter. The animal strives to free himself 

 from their irritation by running among bushes and brambles ; 

 and should he reach a lake, he will plunge into the water, 

 allowing only his nostrils and mouth to remain above the 

 surface. Sometimes, indeed, he will dive altogether, and is 

 frequently known to hide himself from his pursuers by 

 remaining for a long time below the water. He also feeds 

 upon the tendrils and shoots of the yellow pond-lily, by 

 reaching for them under water. An Indian, on one occasion, 

 was following the track of a moose, when it led him to the 

 edge of a little round pond in the woods, whence he could 

 find no exit of the trail. After waiting for some time, he 

 beheld the head of the animal rising above the surface in the 

 very middle of the pond. While hastening for his gun, 

 which he had left at a little distance, the moose made for 

 the opposite shore, and emerging from the water, regained 

 the shelter of the forest ere he could get round for a shot. 

 The animals have been known also to visit the sea-shore, and 



