ANIMALS OP NORTH AMERICA. 85 



out by a hunter, who fired upon him ; whereupon the whole 

 herd plunged into the thicket, and disappeared. Relying 

 upon the skill of the hunter, and confident that his shot 

 was fatal, several of the party dismounted and pursued the 

 Elk into the woods, where the wounded buck was soon 

 overtaken. Finding his pursuers close upon him, the Elk 

 turned furious upon the foremost, who only saved himself 

 by springing into a thicket, which was impassable to the 

 Elk, whose enormous antlers becoming so entangled in the 

 vines, as to be covered to their tips, he was held fast and 

 blindfolded, and was despatched by repeated bullets and 

 stabs." 



