78 MOOSE-HUNTING, SALMON-FISHING, ETC 



to feed away, and to scatter; so when a 

 bunch of nine fed together and in range, we 

 levelled our rifles, one at 300, the other at 

 325 yards, and pulled, when over fell three 

 dead. In my excitement, without giving the 

 undertaking a thought, I caught up my shot 

 and started for them. I had no difficulty 

 in getting to the birds, and securing them, 

 but in returning, I undertook a shorter way, 

 which nearly cost me my life. I had pro- 

 ceeded about 75 yards on my return, when 

 I slumped into a kind of quicksand, which 

 let me down above my knees every step 

 I took; but hoping to worry through it, 

 I did not turn back, but found ere long 

 that I was making slow progress, as I could 

 not step along on account of the depth of 

 mud, and at the same time was becoming 

 weary. I saw at this stage it would be im- 

 possible to reach the shore with the load, 

 so decided to stick the gun, a $50 one, in the 

 mud, and leave it ; then I could move with 

 a little more freedom, but had taken only 

 a few steps, when one of my waders left me, 

 and very shortly after, the other, while my 

 limbs were becoming chilled with that icy 



