168 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 



As I had some scruj)les about destroying animals in this 

 manner, I was appointed torch-bearer, and so well did I 

 perform my task that my companions killed two deer be- 

 fore nine o'clock. We then returned to camp, and were 

 rolled up in our blankets half an hour later. If ''early 

 to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, 

 wealthy, and wise," those who go on shooting expeditions 

 in the Far West ought to be the healthiest, wealthiest, 

 and wisest men in the world, for they, as a rule, are up 

 long before the dawn. Most of them have an idea that 

 if the first sunbeams catch them asleep they will have no 

 luck during the day, and, as a consequence, they often 

 commence work so early that it undermines the constitu- 

 tion in a few years, especially if they go out without 

 food. 



Thanks to the " lightning member " of our party, who 

 threatened to drench those who did not "turn out" 

 promptly, we were up and stirring long before the sun 

 appeared, and by the time its rays began to gild the sur- 

 rounding forests, we were armed caji-a-pie and ready for 

 work. 



We were in the forest by daylight, and after walking 

 about a mile, the Kentuckian espied a stag, fired at him, 

 and brought him to the ground. He then advanced to 

 cut his throat, but he had scarcely drawn his knife before 

 the wounded and infuriated animal bounded to its feet 

 and charged him. Striking him in the breast, it hurled 

 him to the ground, stamped on him two or three times, 

 and was apparently determined to kill him, but before it 

 could accomplish its purpose it was shot in the heart by 

 one of my companions. The fallen man then picked 

 himself up in the promptest manner and commenced ex- 

 amining his wounds, but they were neither numerous nor 

 severe, being confined to a contusion or two, and a rent 

 in his nether garments that almost disrobed him, and 

 made him the butt of many a joke during the remainder 



