Old Times in the Black Hills 



buck was upon me, with eyes gleaming like 

 coals of fire. I clubbed my gun and struck 

 at his lowered head, hitting the bur of his 

 antlers; and the rifle flew out of my hands, 

 broken in two at the grip. I grasped him by 

 the antlers, and the tussle we then had would 

 have been an interesting and thrilling one to 

 a spectator. I myself would have much pre- 

 ferred the role of spectator to that of partici- 

 pant, but unfortunately I had no choice in the 

 matter. 



The dogs, now coming up, fortunately di- 

 vided his attention. Kentuck promptly seized 

 him by the ear and hung on bravely, notwith- 

 standing the sharp hoofs of the buck were 

 cutting him frightfully at each stroke of his 

 deadly fore feet; Maida, in the mean time, was 

 unable to secure a hold that would assist us. 

 In my efforts to hold his head down I slipped 

 and fell, and buck, dogs, and myself mingled 

 in a confused heap. As I fell I lost my hold 

 on the antlers and scrambled for my mutilated 

 rifle ; but before I found whether it could be 

 used or not, the buck lunged forward, falling 

 with Kentuck beneath him. It was his last 

 •effort ; he was dead. Completely winded from 



