THE CHASE. 387 



report is heard, when, to use a hunter's expression, " he lets go 

 all holds," his hind feet, propelled by the great momentum, are 

 thrown high in the air as if his very hoofs would be snapped off, 

 and he falls " all in a heap,^^ or tui-ns a complete somersault, and 

 then rolls upon the ground pierced through the heart, or with 

 both fore shoulders smashed ; or if the deer was descending in his 

 leap, perhaps the shot was higher than was intended, and a 

 stitch is dropped in the spinal column. In either case, the mon- 

 arch of the forest is laid low, never to rise again. It is a glorious 

 moment, and unsurpassed b}'' human experience. I have been 

 tliere, and know how it is myself, and so I speak from knowledge. 

 Had the deer been standing, and with a full inspiration, he might 

 have made a few bounds before he fell, but in the position de- 

 scribed he could never rise again. 



When the fatal shot has been fired by the successful sports- 

 man, he winds his horn as a signal of his triumpli, and to call his 

 companions at the other stations, and the congratulatory meeting 

 takes place over the prone form of the noble game. All admire 

 his great antlers, which are lifted and dropped by each in turn. 

 All admire his glossy coat which glistens in the bright sunshine 

 like a silk robe, and all feel of the thick coat upon the ribs, and 

 with watering mouths — remember they have been fasting since 

 daylight — think longingly of the rich venison steaks in a chafing- 

 dish for each, dusted with capsicum, seasoned with salt, laved in 

 butter ; or, better still, lubricated with some slices of hard, fat 

 pork, and flavored with a dash of good old port. Around the 

 board so furnished, the sportsmen, after the fatigues of the day, 

 with appetites sharpened by long abstinence as well, — selecting 

 for the feast a saddle which has hung a few days to ripen and 

 flavor, — while the venison slowly simmers in the rich compound, 

 recount their experiences, their hazards, their exposures, their 

 fatigues, and their triumphs. Then it is that the old settler, whose 

 hair is white as snow, but who is yet hale and hearty, and is 

 able to mount his horse and to ride him, too, with the best of 

 them, is a most welcome companion. Seated at the head of the 

 table, he is apt to monopolize the conversation, especially after a 

 time, and may even become a little garrulous too, still all listen 

 to him with anxious attention and deepest respect. He has been 

 there from the beginning. He can tell when all was forest, when 

 the first cabin was built, and who made the first clearing. He 

 remembers when the whole country was full of game, when a 

 slice of pork was a welcome change from venison, bear meat, or 



