American Big-Game Hunting 
burnt timber, I was stopped by a very loud 
whistle close in front; and, on creeping up, 
saw on the far edge of the clearing three 
bulls standing. They were between me and 
camp, and not two hundred yards away. 
They seemed to hear or see me, but stood 
perfectly still, probably mistaking me in the 
dusk for one of their number. One was a 
big fellow, I could see, as he stood out 
against the sky. What horns he had! The 
failing light made him seem gigantic. I 
crawled on till within easy range, and still he 
never moved. He was standing breast on, 
apparently watching me. Aiming for where 
his great shaggy throat joined his broad 
breast I fired. The rifle blazed out in the 
dusk; the elk gave a bound, and turned 
his quarter toward me; the other two 
dashed off into the woods. Again I fired; 
this time for his shoulder. The flash of the 
rifle half blinded me for an instant, but I 
could see that he was down. I started for 
him atarun. Up he got, and went lurching 
heavily down hill toward camp. I was now 
quite close to him, and fired once more. 
Again he fell, but, the slope aiding him, he 
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