Moose - Hunting. 1 69 



chance to shoot deer, but Sebatis forbade molesting them, for fear 

 we might thereby alarm the moose. 



The next day we were early astir, and Sebatis started off alone to 

 reconnoiter. In about an hour he returned and told me, in a mys- 

 terious manner, that he had found signs of two moose, one of which 

 was a very large one, — and that he knew him very well. Upon my 

 asking for an explanation of such a strange statement, Sebatis said : 



" More'n two years ago I hunt these mount'ins with Lola — find 

 sign very big moose. You see I can tell must be pretty big moose, 

 'cause he peel bark so high on trees ; never all my life see moose peel 

 'em bark so high." 



"Well, Sebatis," I said, " I suppose the sooner we get on his trail 

 the better ? " 



" Sartin, start now, take two days' provisions; big moose very 

 strong, may be travel long ways before we kill 'em." 



"Not come camp again to-night?" inquired Swarsin, who looked 

 after his comfort. 



"No," replied Sebatis; "may be never see camp again. I think 

 big moose devil." 



Swarsin was lazy and very superstitious, consequently the allusion 

 to his satanic majesty did not hasten matters in packing for the hunt, 

 and I imagine that he did not relish the prospect of a two-days' 

 tramp after an animal with such a questionable reputation, for he was 

 longer than usual in getting the things together. 



" Swarsin just like old woman, so slow," said Sebatis. " Best 

 leave 'im take care camp, shoot 'em chipmunks an' rabbits." 



This hastened Swarsin, and in a few moments we were off. 



Sebatis led the way, which was anything but a pleasant one, for 

 at the start we had to cross a wide bog, and great care was required 

 in placing one's feet, as a misstep let one into the waist in the oozy 

 mire. On the farther side of the bog a rapid brook flowed at the foot 

 of a hard-wood ridge. By jumping from bowlder to bowlder we all, 

 as I supposed, reached the other side in safety, but on looking back 

 I saw Swarsin hesitating on the last jump, which was a pretty stiffish 

 one. In such a case to hesitate is to precipitate a disaster, which 

 proved true in poor Swarsin's case, as he jumped short of the bank, 

 and in an instant the quick water swirled him past. In a few 

 moments he rejoined us, much crest-fallen. 



