Next morning the bushes about the edge of the shore were silvered with frost, and a thin, crinkling scum of ice covered the little pools in the marsh. The air was sharp and crisp, and it nipped viciously at the boys’ fingers and ears. Before it was light they left the cabin and took their stand beside Ben in the timber at the border of the swamp.
For some time they stood there shivering from cold and excitement. Then, as the first gray hint of approaching day came from the east, Ben raised a cone-shaped roll of birch-bark to his lips and blew the wild, sonorous challenge of the bull moose. It rose and fell on the frosty air until all the woods resounded, and then died away in the distance.
Somewhere about, within hearing distance he hoped, was the moose they had heard on their return from the beaver-dam. Ben felt sure it would eagerly accept this defiant challenge. If it did, he knew it would soon come crashing noisily toward them, and he hoped to entice it out upon the open marsh.
Having given the call, the guide lowered the birch-bark horn and sat down to wait, while the boys stared eagerly across the marsh.
Time passed, but there was no response. At last Ben rose and sent forth another strange cry. This time he substituted the call of the cow moose. Then he again sat down to wait.
Daylight dawned, and a white, curling mist rose and drifted away above the marsh. Something snapped a twig at the border of the woods. The boys looked expectantly at Ben and shifted their rifles. He smiled and shook his head, and their tense nerves relaxed.
Then the summons was answered, and Ben glanced at them and winked encouragingly. From far to the right came the challenging reply, and the very sound of it set the hearts of the young hunters to thumping, while they thrilled with excitement. What they would do when the moose really made its appearance they did not know, except that they determined to stand their ground manfully.
Ben once more placed the roll of bark to his lips and sent forth another call—a repetition of the first defiant challenge. A minute or so passed, and then the reply came, clearer and more distinct than before.
“We’ve got him coming, boys,” said Ben, confidently. “When he gets close, and you hear him crashing through the woods, you fellows must keep as still as mice, or we’ll lose him. If I can coax him into the center of the marsh, cover him close behind the shoulder; and when you hear me hiss, let him have it.”
“What will he do when he gets here?” asked George.