American Big-Game Hunting 



to prowl around. The senses are all on the 

 strain as they are directed to the left rear. 

 Just then a dark moving mass flits by be- 

 tween the willows on the trail, and soon 

 emerges in full view, but again to disappear 

 in a slight depression passed by the trail. 

 Heavens, what a monster he seems in the dim 

 twilight ! As soon as he disappears I move 

 rapidly and noiselessly forward to within 

 about fifty yards of the trail he has to pass, 

 drop on the right knee, and am ready. He 

 does not come to time, however, and has evi- 

 dently stopped to listen; doubtless remem- 

 bering the first evening's experience, and be- 

 ing in hearing of last evening's racket. Has 

 he taken the alarm and gone back? When 

 on the point of going to the left, peering 

 over, and taking a chance shot on the run, 

 his back appears over the sage-brush and he 

 is moving confidently forward, having satis- 

 fied himself there is no danger. At the 

 first favorable opportunity, as he passes 

 through the sage-brush, I deliver fire into his 

 side, a little too high, and he rolls over, but 

 with such a bawl as to indicate he is danger- 

 ous, did he know from what direction came 



230 



