y tired.

There seemed to be no likelihood that my antagonist would give in. At
last, I determined at all hazards to carry out the plan I had formed,
and to escape to some tree up which I could climb. I knew that should
my foot slip, and I fall to the ground, the elk would in a moment be
upon me.

I shouted to Pat, telling him what I intended to do, and hoping that he
might appear and attract, if even but for a few moments, the attention
of the elk.

Some time elapsed before I could get to the side from which I intended
to take my flight. I waited for the moment that the deer should make
his charge against the tree, when, as it would be some seconds before he
discovered that he had not caught me, I might have the start of him.

With a crash his antlers struck the trunk, and as I heard the sound I
darted off. I did not dare to look round to see whether he was
following. Almost breathless I reached a tree, but it was not one I
could climb. As I ran round it, a glance I cast over my shoulder showed
me the savage brute tearing across the open ground in the direction I
had taken.

On I went; another and another tree was passed. He was nearly up to me,
when I saw one a short distance ahead with a branch projecting at a
height which I could reach. The elk was close upon my heels when,
grasping hold of the bough by an effort of which I scarcely supposed
myself capable, I drew myself up beyond the reach of his antlers, which
the next instant came crashing against the trunk just below my feet.

I had no wish, however, to let my antagonist go, and having saved my
spear I resolved to make effectual use of it; so, getting into a
position between the branches where I could sit securely, I got my
weapon ready for use.

The elk having lost me retreated for a few paces, when again catching
sight of me he dashed forward, rearing up on his hind feet.

With all the strength I possessed, I darted down my sharp-pointed spear
towards the top of its head. I knew that the skull was thick, but that
if my knife would penetrate it, I should certainly kill the elk. The
blow was more effectual than I had dared to hope for. The moment the
moose was struck, down it sank to the ground, without giving a single
struggle. I could then for the first time look out to ascertain what
had become of Pat, shouting as I did so, and presently I saw him rushing
out of the larger wood towards me.

As he caught sight of the dead elk, he threw u