After an hour’s delay, and near midnight, we pushed out again.  My vigilance and susceptibility were rather sharpened than dulled by the waiting; and the features of the night had also deepened and intensified.  Night was at its meridian.  The sky had that soft luminousness which may often be observed near midnight at this season, and the “large few stars” beamed mildly down.  We floated out into that spectral shadow-land and moved slowly on as before.  The silence was most impressive.  Now and then the faint yeap of some traveling bird would come from the air overhead, or the wings of a bat whisp quickly by, or an owl hoot off in the mountains, giving to the silence and loneliness a tongue.  At short intervals some noise in-shore would startle me, and cause me to turn inquiringly to the silent figure in the stern.

The end of the lake was reached, and we turned back.  The novelty and the excitement began to flag; tired nature began to assert her claims; the movement was soothing, and the gunner slumbered fitfully at his post.  Presently something aroused me.  “There’s a deer,” whispered the guide.  The gun heard, and fairly jumped in my hand.  Listening, there came the crackling of a limb, followed by a sound as of something walking in shallow water.  It proceeded from the other end of the lake, over against our camp.  On we sped, noiselessly as ever, but with increased velocity.  Presently, with a thrill of new intensity, I saw the boat was gradually heading in that direction.  Now, to a sportsman who gets excited over a gray squirrel, and forgets that he has a gun on the sudden appearance of a fox, this was a severe trial.  I suddenly felt cramped for room, and trimming the boat was out of the question.  It seemed that I must make some noise in spite of myself.  “Light the jack,” said a soft whisper behind me.  I fumbled nervously for a match, and dropped the first one.  Another was drawn briskly across my knee and broke.  A third lighted. but went out prematurely, in my haste to get it to the jack.  What would I not have given to see those wicks blaze!  We were fast nearing the shore,—­already the lily-pads began to brush along the bottom.  Another attempt, and the light took.  The gentle motion fanned the blaze, and in a moment a broad glare of light fell upon the water in front of us, while the boat remained in utter darkness.

By this time I had got beyond the nervous point, and had come round to perfect coolness and composure again, but preternaturally vigilant and keen.  I was ready for any disclosures; not a sound was heard.  In a few moments the trees alongshore were faintly visible.  Every object put on the shape of a gigantic deer.  A large rock looked just ready to bound away.  The dry limbs of a prostrate tree were surely his antlers.