through the dim secluded spot. The 

 elk raised his proud, antlered head and 

 looked in my direction. Another shot 

 tore through the air. Without another 

 move the animal dropped where he 

 stood. He lay as still as the stones be- 

 side him, and all was quiet again in the 

 twilight. 



I sat on the ground where I was and 

 made no attempt to go near him. So 

 that was all. One instant a magnificent 

 breathing thing, the next nothing. 



Death had been so sudden. I had no 

 regret, I had no triumph just a sort 

 of wonder at what I had done a sur- 

 prise that the breath of life could be 

 taken away so easily. 



Meanwhile, Nimrod had become 

 alarmed at the long silence, and, tying 

 the horses, had followed me down the 

 mountain. He was nearly down when 



