98 THE ST. KEOTS AND SAKAXAC S. 



we swung along up the Still -Water again, by legitimate 

 methods of water-travel, content, even, to let it rain, if we 

 could only have the water smooth as well as wet. 



As \\ e proceeded, my boat being in advance, we saw a 

 deer standing, broadside towards us, in the shallow water 

 at the margin of the stream, and looking intently at us. Hal 

 sey sei/.ed the gun. which lay by his side, aimed, pulled the 

 trigger, and the cap(sulVering from the general depression 

 and dampness) snapped. Whereat the deer leisurely walked 

 out of the stream, daintily lifting his feet out of the water 

 as he went, and di-appeared in the thick underbrush. I 

 \\a-~ mortified that out appearance in-pired no more terror 

 in the bea->t. and felt that it was not even beastly compli- 

 mentary. Halsey fumbled in hi- vest pocket tor :t fre-h cap. 

 while the deer was walking olV. but was at least halt a 

 minute too late in preparing his weapon for discharge. I 

 have no doubt a deer, if consulted, would recommend all 

 hunters to use a mu/./.le loader. 



Scarcely fifteen minutes had elapsed before we saw 

 another deer feeding in the water. It seemed a trood day 

 for deer. Tin- rain had just ceased and the last rays of the 

 setting sun were slanting up-stream. \Ve were out of ratine, 

 and Halsey leveling his inm took rood aim, while I. in 

 a highly excited state of mind, seated in the stern of the 

 boat, paddled, pushed and somehow advanced eiirhl or ten 

 rods to. almost, within ten rods of the deer. He looked up. 

 and. conscious 1 have no doubt that a dry cap had been 

 put upon the 12; un, or perhaps imaLcininu; that our ii'enerally 

 bedraggled appearance was only a blind and that we wen 



