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 
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