DEER-STALKING BY NIGHT. 117 



him ; so I kept as close as possible. Suddenly lie 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 windward of him; and snuff- 

 ing the air he gave a bound, which caused my ball to 

 strike too far backwards under his spine, bringing him 

 on his haunches. Bearsgrease had been observing it all 

 with remarkable patience, only turning his head from 

 one to the other ; but now giving vent to his eagerness, 

 he darted on the deer, seized him by the jaw, and spring- 

 ing over his back, brought him to the ground. I had 

 now a good opportunity of cutting the deer's throat, but 

 I wished to give the dog a little practice, and I watched 

 the struggle with the greatest interest. The buck was 

 one of twelve branches, and had the full use of the fore- 

 part of his body. He strove to hit the dog with his 

 sharp hoof, and to run his horns into him, but the dog 

 cleverly eluded all his attempts, and at last seizing him 

 by the throat, held him fast, while I ended his torments 

 with my knife. 



As Slowtrap had assured me that he would be ready 

 to make the long expected journey, in a few days, I 

 would not delay. I skinned the deer, packed the two 

 haunches in the skin, fed the dog, and trudged away hea- 

 vily laden, up and down hill to Curly 's house. 



