182 SHORT STALKS 



managed tlie ten miles' tramp home if it had not been for 

 the supreme sense of virtuous toil rewarded. 



The next day we rode up — I could scarcely climb into 

 the saddle — to gloat over the prize, photograph him, and 

 bring him down. It took four horses fully loaded to do 

 this, but the ground was unusually boggy. I have gener- 

 ally found sledges a better means of transport when the 

 ground is soft. Great was the rejoicing in Die's house, on 

 whose " rioht " the elk had fallen, and his neioiibours came 

 in to congratulate him. This is not to be wondered at, for 

 a full-grown elk carries enough meat to supply a family 

 for the whole winter. It is generally minced uj) and made 

 into sausao;es, which are hunir on the rafters. In Sweden 

 it is salted and smoked. 



Two days later my son had another fine run, which was 

 even lono-er than mine, but had a less fortunate result. I 

 was myself in the woods at no great distance, and by a 

 great piece of luck had heard the baying, and came in for 

 the latter part of the run. The elk was finally coursed 

 out of the woods, and away into the high fjeld, where the 

 dogs bayed him among the rocks — a wild scene. He was 

 galloped to a standstill, and appeared to be " our meat," 

 but just as John and Cyril got within range he slowly 

 rounded a corner. Thinkino- he would oet a standino- shot 



o O O 



on the other side of it, Cyril reserved his fire ; when the 

 corner was reached the animal had rounded another, and — 

 we never saw him again. AVhether, like 8t. Hubert's stao- 

 he vanished when the fun was over, or had had time to get 

 his wind — the downhill track helping him— I know not ; 

 but the dogs returned almost immediately with a reproach- 

 ful expression, which plainly said, " Why didn't you 



