THE SPORTSMAN'S POINT OF VIEW 107 



he watches them get nearer and nearer, and even though the 

 stag happens to be one of only fair size, it appears to be the 

 largest ever seen. He probably whispers to the guide that 

 it must have at least fifty points, but is assured that thirty 

 would be nearer the number. Perhaps the leading doe will 

 stop for a moment when still rather far away, and the novice 

 thinks she is about to turn back. With difficulty the guides 

 restrain him in his desire to shoot. A moment's hesitation, 

 and once more the grey line resumes its journey. The 

 does pass, perhaps thirty yards away, or even closer. One 

 after the other they go by— with each one that passes the 

 stag with the gleaming horns comes nearer. Imagination 

 is running riot in the novice's mind, and he decides that of 

 course the guide must be wrong and the stag must be 

 a record, for there are certainly nearly sixty points ; but he 

 says nothing, for at last the animal is almost opposite. The 

 guide, afraid to let the novice attempt shooting the animal 

 as it walks, gives a sudden whistle, and the whole herd stops. 

 This is the chance. The stag presents an easy mark, yet 

 the excitement makes the novice nervous, and as often as 

 not he will pull the trigger without taking aim. Even at 

 the sound of the shot the startled animals may not run more 

 than a few yards before they will wheel round and stare 

 in the direction of the sound. At this point the hunter will 

 show what manner of man he is. Perhaps he will become 

 still more wildly excited, and fire ofT every cartridge in rapid 

 succession so wildly that, beyond frightening the Caribou, 

 no harm is done, except to the guide, who considers that 

 he has not been rewarded for his careful selection of the 

 gaze. Probably, however, after firing the first ineffectual 

 shot, the novice loses his attack of buck fever, and taking 

 proper advantage of the opportunity brings down his stag 

 with a well-placed shot. 



