equally desirous of the capture of the moose.
But he was a modest man and would let others have a chance first.

After a little while, though, when it became evident that unless
something was done pretty soon the moose would escape, it was noticed
that he became graver, and that his face wore a puzzled look of
uncertainty.

[Sidenote: Ramrod's "Coffin"]

All at once, however, the doubt vanished, and Ramrod started off towards
his house as fast as his long stiff legs would carry him.

When he emerged he bore in one hand an ordinary rope halter, with a
noose at one end, just such a halter as was used by all the farmers for
securing their horses to their stalls. In his other hand was a paddle,
and with these harmless-looking implements he was about to start in
chase of the moose.

Quickly proceeding to the river bank, he drew out from beneath a clump
of bushes the "coffin," and, unheeding alike the warnings of the elders
and derisive shouts of the youngsters, elicited by the appearance of his
curious-looking craft, he knelt down in the stern and set out on his
perilous adventure.

But he had not gone far before it was seen that something was wrong.

The boat had a will of its own, and that will was evidently exerted in
direct opposition to the will of its owner.

It went, but how? No schoolboy ever drew a truer circle with a bit of
string and a slate-pencil than that cranky craft made on the placid
surface of the river each time Ramrod put a little extra strength into
his stroke.

At last, however, the gallant boatman managed to make headway, and,
aided by the current, he now rapidly approached the moose, which was
considerably distressed by the great length of its swim.

But the instant the animal became aware that it was being pursued, it
redoubled its efforts to gain the island, which was not very distant.
And this it would have succeeded in doing had it not been for the almost
herculean exertions of Ramrod, by which it was eventually headed up
stream again.

And now a stern chase up and down and across the river ensued. It really
did not last long, though it seemed hours to us who were watching from
the bank.

Just as Ramrod thought he had made sure of the moose this time, and
dropping his paddle would seize the halter to throw over the head of the
animal, the latter would make a sudden turn, and before the baffled
hunter could regain command of his boat, would be well on his way down
stream again.