POKE EECEIVES A CUK'OSITY AND TELLS A TARN. 353 



of his neck, breaking the spine and killing him instantly^ 

 They were both large bucks of six tines, with their horns 

 fully grown. It seemed a marvel something that was 

 as supernatural as the weird scene around us to see 

 those two noble beasts that, a moment before, were the 

 wildest forest things that range the earth, so still and 

 heavy in among the lilies and the sword-grass. 



" Wall, wall, that was purty well done," said Hank. 



But Hank's praise could not lighten the dull leaden 

 weight of the stags, nor relieve my mind from the lurk- 

 ing impression that the coming by night into these soli- 

 tudes, to shoot down two of the lords of the soil while at 

 their food, was not the part of a brave man. But what 

 is the use of moralizing ? Some men sin without 

 thought, others with much ; but I opine that the much 

 thought don't deter from a repetition of the sin. 



With a good deal of labor we hoisted our two deer 

 into the canoe, and paddled home to the sleeping camp, 

 and then 



" Tuck a drink," said Mike, whom we all thought fast 

 asleep, from under his arm. 



A drink I no sir, I was more intoxicated with my 

 hunt than a gallon of whisky would have made me. 



" All who believe Poke's story, signify it by saying I." 



" I," said Poke. 



" I'se sure maussa tell fur true 'bout firin' in de stump 

 part," suggested Scip. 



The Doctor was displeased, and went off to lift the 

 night lines, and the rest of the party to dreams. 



