All this time the crowd collected on the bank were greatly concerned
about Ramrod's safety.

They saw, what he did not, that the affair would end in his getting a
ducking at the very least. But worse than that was feared, as, once
overturned, the miserable conception of a boat would be beyond the power
of any one in the water to right it again. And, moreover, the water was
still intensely cold, and a very few minutes would have sufficed to give
the cramp to a much stronger man than Ramrod.

Perceiving all this, some of the more energetic had from the first
bestirred themselves in preparations for launching a boat.

But this occupied some time, for, as I have said, the boats usually to
be seen fringing the bank during the summer months had not yet made
their appearance. Oars also and tholepins had to be hunted up, and by
the time all this was accomplished the need of help out there on the
river was very urgent indeed.

Plenty of pluck had Ramrod, or he would have given up the chase when he
found himself becoming so exhausted, by the tremendous exertion
necessary to keep control of his cranky craft, that he had scarcely
sufficient strength left to follow the deer in its many dodges and
turnings.

But strong as the moose was, its time had come. Suddenly the animal
stopped, gave a scream that made the blood curdle in all our veins, and
would have sunk out of sight only that, with a last desperate effort,
Ramrod got up with it, and this time succeeded in throwing the halter
over its head and drawing the noose tight.

[Sidenote: An Upset]

Thoroughly exhausted as the moose appeared to be, this act of Ramrod's
roused it to make one more effort for life and freedom. Turning quickly
about and snorting furiously, it made for its assailant, and before
Ramrod could check it had capsized the boat and sent that worthy head
over heels into the water.

Presence of mind is a splendid quality, and Ramrod possessed it to the
full. Retaining his hold of the halter, he endeavoured to right the
boat, but soon perceiving the impossibility of so doing, he relinquished
the attempt, and being a good swimmer, boldly struck out for the island,
that being the nearest land.

Refreshed by his involuntary bath, and not yet feeling the effects of
the cold, Ramrod made no doubt but that he should easily accomplish the
task.

As for the moose, it was completely done up, and was now no more trouble
than a log of wood. The effort by which it h