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 réle 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 
6 81 
