33 2 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
instinctively wandered as the possible line of the 
elk’s run, as I knew he would soon take to water 
after his quick burst up the hill. 
“ The sky was spotless, and not a breath of air 
stirred the tree-tops, upon which I looked down as 
upon a vast carpet of undulations. It was a lovely 
morning for listening, and I strained my ears for the 
slightest sound. I fancied that I heard an indistinct 
noise from far beneath like the hum of bees ; this 
seemed to proceed from the dark hollow which 
marked the river’s course. ... It was not fancy. 
Once or twice I heard a deep voice louder than the 
rest. ... To crown all certainty I heard most 
distinctly the sudden and ringing bark of an elk. 
They were at bay! but at least 3 miles from where 
I stood. 
“In this spot, on the narrow ridge of the mountain 
top, the winter wind had prevented all trees from 
growing. The vegetation consisted of nothing but 
stunted bushes and dwarf nilho, gradually increasing 
in height as it obtained a more sheltered situation in 
its descent, until it gave place to lofty forest. From 
this clear and elevated post I marked out the line of 
country that I ought to take, and following the elk’s 
track as my surest guide, I started off at a great 
pace down the mountain side. 
“Tearing through the bushes and trees at this 
rate, I lost the track. Striking my line of country 
according to my own judgment, I ploughed along 
for a couple of miles, sometimes losing all sound of 
the bay, at other times hearing it indistinctly, but 
