DEEU-STALKING BY NIGHT. 2G9 



same day. As the deer kept themselves close hid in the 

 daytime, we determined to have a shot in the night. 

 An iron pan was soon prepared, and with my old German 

 game-bag, which had accompanied me in all my wan- 

 derings, lull of kindlers, our rolled-up blankets on our 

 shoulders, we set off as soon as it was dark. A sharp 

 wind had made the leaves so dry in the course of a few 

 hours, that our footsteps might be heard at three hun- 

 dred yards off; consequently we saw no deer, and after 

 carrying the pan to and fro for about three hours, we 

 got tired of such useless trouble. On arriving at a small 

 stream, we made a good fire, and after a frugal supper 

 had set our chins for a very short time in motion, we 

 rolled ourselves in our blankets, and lay down each with 

 his dog pressed close to his side. 



We rose at daybreak, and following different routes, 

 appointed a rendezvous at Curly's, as we did not mean 

 to make a long affair of it. Bad luck seemed to 

 stick to us, for though Ave found plenty of trails, we 

 saw no game. At length Bearsgrease found a fresh 

 trail, and followed it up, often looking round to see if 

 I was near him ; so I kept as close as possible. Sud- 

 denly he stood still and pointed, and an old buck got 

 up about fifty yards from us, and made a half circle 

 round us. When I gave a hail, he stood still as if to 

 ask what I wanted. It happened that I was to wind- 

 ward of him ; and snuffing the air he gave a bound, 

 which caused my ball to strike too far backwards 

 under his spine, bringing him on his haunches. Bears- 

 grease had been observing it all witli remarkable 

 patience, only turning his head from one to the other; 

 but now giving vent to his eagerness he darted on the 

 23* 



