INTER-OCEAN HUNTING TALES 



proportioned and beautifully poised antlers, 

 which I regarded as already mine. As I 

 raised my rifle to shoot, although the action 

 was quite deliberate, it was immediately 

 noticed. The deer changed its course when 

 not over forty yards away, exposing its broad 

 flank to my aim. It ran some distance after 

 I fired, clearing with ease the trunk of a large 

 fallen tree, and giving me no little concern 

 for a few moments. Following his tracks, I 

 soon came upon the deer, dead. It was in- 

 deed a fine specimen, weighing perhaps two 

 hundred and fifty pounds, in good condition 

 and with a perfect set of antlers. 



I had often heard of the remarkably acute 

 senses of wild animals ; the timidity and keen- 

 ness of deer are proverbial, and yet here was 

 an instance which seemed to belie all former 

 stories and past experience. Standing in plain 

 view while firing at a mark, the buck ran 

 directly toward m'e. One would naturally 

 suppose that the noise of the shooting would 

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