86 CENTRAL AMERICA. 



head, and he nibbles, or pretends to nibble, 

 the grass, walking in a circular direction, as 

 if he were going round and round the deer, 

 but the cunning file always takes a step side- 

 ways for every one he takes in front, so as to 

 be constantly approaching his victim, but in 

 such a manner as to excite no alarm. 



In a large open plain the ox will make two 

 entire circles, or more, round the game, be- 

 fore he has narrowed the inner one sufficient- 

 ly to enable the hunter to take aim within 

 proper distance ; and the first notice the un- 

 suspecting stag receives is an arrow, gene- 

 rally behind the shoulders ; a gun-shot is 

 best directed at the neck, but an arrow as 

 above, for it impedes more the movement of 

 the deer. 



An experienced hunting-ox is best left 

 alone, as he is far more cunning than any 

 hunter, and always keeps his master well 

 hidden ; he is only checked by a small pull 

 when within shooting distance. I have never 

 hunted in this manner myself, which is some- 

 times done with a rifle ; but I have watched 

 it from a distance that could not disturb the 

 sport, with great interest. 



No quadruped, except perhaps a cat, is 

 more tenacious of life than deer ; the distance 



