ee of the animals. We little fellows, as usual, were playing down by
the sandy shore, when we spied what seemed like the root of a great tree
floating toward us. But on a closer scrutiny we discovered our error.
It was the head of a huge moose, swimming for his life! Fortunately for
him, none of the men had remained at home.

According to our habit, we little urchins disappeared in an instant,
like young prairie chickens, in the long grass. I was not more than
eight years old, yet I tested the strength of my bowstring and adjusted
my sharpest and best arrow for immediate service. My heart leaped
violently as the homely but imposing animal neared the shore. I was
undecided for a moment whether I would not leave my hiding-place and
give a war-whoop as soon as he touched the sand. Then I thought I would
keep still and let him have my boy weapon; and the only regret that
I had was that he would, in all probability, take it with him, and I
should be minus one good arrow.

"Still," I thought, "I shall claim to be the smallest boy whose arrow
was ever carried away by a moose." That was enough. I gathered myself
into a bunch, all ready to spring. As the long-legged beast pulled
himself dripping out of the water, and shook off the drops from his long
hair, I sprang to my feet. I felt some of the water in my face! I gave
him my sharpest arrow with all the force I could master, right among the
floating ribs. Then I uttered my warwhoop.

The moose did not seem to mind the miniature weapon, but he was very
much frightened by our shrill yelling. He took to his long legs, and in
a minute was out of sight.

The leaves had now begun to fall, and the heavy frosts made the nights
very cold. We were forced to realize that the short summer of that
region had said adieu! Still we were gay and lighthearted, for we had
plenty of provisions, and no misfortune had yet overtaken us in our
wanderings over the country for nearly three months.

One day old Smoky Day returned from the daily hunt with an alarm. He had
seen a sign-a "smoke sign." This had not appeared in the quarter that
they were anxiously watching--it came from the east. After a long
consultation among the men, it was concluded from the nature and
duration of the smoke that it proceeded from an accidental fire. It was
further surmised that the fire was not made by Sioux, since it was out
of their country, but by a war-party of Ojibways, who were accustomed
to use matches when li