r prowess. Notwithstanding the limited amount of
unsavoury food we had eaten, I retained my strength, and Pat regained
his.

At last every particle we possessed was consumed. Notwithstanding the
danger of marching without food, it was better than remaining where we
were; and early one morning, with our spears in our hands, Pat carrying
the saucepan and mug, we started forth. We had no great fear of
Indians, for should those who stole our horses have wished to kill us,
they would have done so at once. They could now track us easily in the
snow; but this they were not likely to do.

We had got to some little distance along the bank of the stream when
Pat, who was rather in advance, stopped, and made a sign to me not to
move, while he pointed ahead. There I saw several magnificent deer,
which had come down to the water to drink. It would have been a sight
to cheer our hearts had we possessed powder; but in spite of our want of
it, I at once resolved at all hazards to try to kill one of the animals.

There were several young ones with them. We were near a bush, behind
which we slipped; then in low voices we arranged our plan of operation.
It was important to keep to leeward of the deer, or they might have
scented us.

We at once crept forward, crouching down and keeping ourselves concealed
by the brushwood. As we got nearer, we perceived that the animals were
moose or elk, the largest of the deer tribe, with magnificent thick
antlers. We well knew the danger of attacking such animals, which
defend themselves both with these antlers and with their fore feet; with
the latter they can strike the most terrific blows, sufficient to kill
any assailant.

Still, hunger made us daring. Besides the wood through which we were
making our way, poplars and several other trees grew in the open ground.

We would, if we could have approached them, have attacked one of the
smaller animals, but they were feeding farther away from our cover, and
their mothers would quickly have led them out of our reach. Close to
the wood, however, stood a magnificent stag, feeding leisurely, as if
unconscious of the approach of a foe.

Our plan was to rush out and attack him; and we hoped mortally to wound
him before he had time to take to flight. The attempt was a desperate
one, but it was worth making.

We crept on noiselessly in Indian fashion, stopping every now and then
to be sure that the elk did not see us till we had got within ei