American Big-Game Hunting 



paused a minute with rifle at full cock, hoping 

 the doe would arise alongside of him. I had 

 not long to wait ; his note of warning aroused 

 her, and she jumped to her feet. 



Taking a quick aim just back of his shoul- 

 der, I fired. As soon as the smoke cleared 

 from in front of my eyes, I saw him still stand- 

 ing erect; he shook his antlers, paused a mo- 

 ment, then rearing to his full height he pitched 

 forward upon his head, apparently stone dead. 

 Forgetting in the excitement of the moment 

 to take a second shot at the doe, which was 

 now bounding off seemingly uninjured, I ran 

 exultingly forward to the buck, dropping my 

 rifle on the edge of the plateau as I reached 

 for my hunting-knife to cut his throat. To 

 my amazement he bounded to his feet and 

 made straight at me, meeting my advance 

 with a charge as sudden as it was unexpected. 

 His onslaught was irresistible, and striking 

 me squarely, he sent me whirling heels over 

 head, fortunately landing me near my rifle, 

 for in reaching for my knife I discovered it 

 was missing. Scrambling to my feet, I arose 

 with my rifle in my hand, and not a minute 

 too soon, for the now thoroughly enraged 



