58 A PLEASANT SURPRISE. 



The willows grew densely, and offered a secure 

 shelter from which to view the plain beyond, and 

 which effectually concealed the hunter's approach from 

 the gaze of every animal in that direction. Quietly 

 separating the branches, Pierre pushed noiselessly 

 through them, and shortly came upon the banks of 

 a narrow stream whose dark waters flowed sluggishly 

 between high clayey banks. Water-lilies dotted its 

 surface in great profusion; and in several places the 

 hunter noticed that these were much displaced, having 

 been dragged from their hold in the soft bottom and 

 left lying in tangled masses on the surface. 



Where the opposite bank dipped down to the stream, 

 affording access to the water, the earth was ploughed 

 by many tracks, some of them so fresh that the 

 water was still actually filling the impressions. Just 

 below this spot the stream made a bend, and on gaining 

 a position from which he could view the lower reach, 

 Pierre was startled to perceive three huge animals 

 immersed in the water, and tossing above its agitated 

 surface their immense antlers as they shook the flies 

 from their heads. Another of the same species browsed 

 off the tender shoots of the willows which projected 

 over the stream from the bank. 



In an instant Pierre crouched out of sight, and pre- 

 pared to approach. Fortunately the wind was in the 

 right direction; and keeping well out of view, the 

 young trapper stealthily reached a spot from which 

 he had made up his mind to fire. 



