UP THE OSWEGATCHIE. SHOT AT A DEER. 245 



Here was virgin wilderness, no dead trees or. Hood-wood, 

 and no alders, hut the shores coming down with solid step 

 to the water's edge; and Hie hroad limbed, vigorous forest 

 stretched its leafy arms high above our heads, out over the 

 pure, flowing water. IJetwcen enjoyment of the scenery 

 and the shade, and the pleasure of Hy cast ing. with vary 

 ing SUCCI-XN. over Hie promising pools and eddies and at the 

 mouths of little streams, the full day light slipped uncon- 

 sciously away, and dusk descended like dew upon river 

 and forest. 



Suddenly, there appeared in the distance, before my 

 dreamy ga/e, the faintest tinge of dull red against the 

 givrn foliage of the river bank. In a whisper I directed 

 my guide's attention to it. and between us we made out the 

 outlines of a deer standing upon a rock and <|iiietly 

 feeding in the river's edge. I was in the bow of the 

 boat, and my guide sat in the stern plying the paddle. 

 ( 'arefully laying aside my rod. and raising my rille and 

 bringing it to bear upon the beautiful animal, I kept steady 

 aim while we Vilenlly drew nearer,- -my guide whispering, 

 " Don't shoot until 1 give you Ihe word!" 'The deer went 

 on silently feeding as we gradually approached without 

 being seen, until we were perhaps not more than ten rods 

 distant from him. I grew impatient for the word, but my 

 guide whispered again, "Wait a minute more we can get 

 closer!" Suddenly, without, raising his head to look at us, 

 the deer leaped with a whirl upon the shore like a lightning 

 Hash, and plunged into the woods. As he leaped, my 

 guide shouted "Shoo! 1 " And 1 shot,! I never yet had 



