174 HUNTING CAMPS. 



Now the two huge animals began to answer each other, 

 while we, being by this time out on the bosom of the lake, 

 listened to their matrimonial differences. We put into 

 shore and again poured water through the horn to attract 

 the bull's attention, after which we heard him approaching 

 steadily, and paddled noiselessly to meet him. It was 

 clear that he had advanced to the end of a small grassy or 

 marshy point, which thrust itself out into the water at the 

 head of the lake. Here he stood. We also paused, for we 

 were within seventy or eighty yards. He grunted two or 

 three times and began to plunge at least, so we, listening 

 in the darkness, imagined, for we heard him tearing his hoofs 

 out of the soft mud. Under cover of these noises we paddled 

 nearer, and soon we were within thirty yards. I imagined 

 I could now see the animal's eyes, shining points in the gloom. 



Unfortunately a light mist had risen from the surface of 

 the water, which added to the dimness, so that it was im- 

 possible to discover what manner of horns the bull carried. 

 Recognising this, Ed urged the canoe forward with a silent 

 paddle, and carried us so close that we were within fifteen 

 yards. The bull had heard something, for he advanced a 

 step or two into the water. 



I was now in a dilemma, for, though I had for some un- 

 explained and unexplainable reason made up my mind that 

 the animal was a fine one, I could see nothing of his horns 

 but a whitish blur, which may, and probably did, exist 

 only in my imagination. I had him covered all this time 

 with my rifle, but was naturally unwilling to fire. The 

 cow called repeatedly in a complaining fashion ; she was 

 about a hundred yards away on the same shore of the lake. 



In the province of Quebec the game laws only allow one 

 bull moose under each licence, but as the season was already 

 well advanced it seemed doubtful whether I should meet 

 with another. Yet to shoot without seeing the head was 

 manifestly impossible. The sky, under the influence of 



