AN EXCITING CHASE. 127 
to take one of those implements and attempt a trial; but 
no tise—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 oat—for few 
‘animals swim so fast as deer—when the signal was given 
* American for ‘‘ master.” 
