320 Hunting Trips on the Prairie 



the steep hillside opposite. When clear of the woods, 

 and directly across the valley from me, he stopped 

 and turned half round, throwing his head in the 

 air to gaze for a moment at the intruder. My bul- 

 let struck too far back, but, nevertheless, made a 

 deadly wound, and the elk went over the crest of 

 the hill at a wild, plunging gallop. We followed 

 the bloody trail for a quarter of a mile, and found 

 him dead in a thicket. Though of large size, he yet 

 had but small antlers, with few points. 



