AN EXCITING CHASE. 127 



to take one of those implements and attempt a trial ; but 

 no use the obstinate composition of birch-bark would only 

 spin round and make most indisputable signs of objection 

 to its freight, which were manifested by the gunwale sev- 

 eral times taking in water, so that my now irate companion 

 almost got out of his wits with rage. At length I attained 

 a slight dexterity, and succeeded, assisted by the skillful 

 steering of the Chippewa, in propelling our frail boat un- 

 der a cedar that grew on the termination of a promontory. 

 Whatever might have been my doubts before as to my 

 friend's assertion that game was afoot, they were now dis- 

 sipated ; for, true enough, the deep voice of a hound could 

 be distinctly heard resounding through the forest, and com- 

 ing toward us ; every bound he spoke, till the echoes and 

 his voice were blended in one prolonged, deep, musical note. 

 My pulsation increased as the music approached, my whole 

 nervous system was in a state of extreme tension; even 

 clasping my gun, setting my teeth, only gave me tempo- 

 rary relief, and never from that day to this has my excite- 

 ment been so intense. " Look ! look !" said the Indian, and, 

 following the direction of his hand, I saw a splendid doe 

 breasting the water and heading for the middle of the lake. 

 Like all green hands, my first prompting was to start in 

 pursuit ; but my more wily friend put a veto on that prop- 

 osition, begging me to restrain my impatience till the quar- 

 ry got well out from land. Long very long appeared the 

 next few moments. But it was evident I was not boss* 

 only a deck-hand of very ordinary acquirements. Remon- 

 strance was, therefore, out of the question ; so submission, 

 with the best possible grace, was adopted. By this time 

 the doe had got nearly a quarter of a mile out for few 

 animals swim so fast as deer when the signal was given 



* American for ' ' master. " 



