THE BLACK-TAILED AND VIRGINIA DEER. 347 



and relating hunting reminiscences, until we retired to our 

 pallet of straw, where each man rolled himself up in his 

 blanket. The pillows were not very soft, as they were 

 composed of our boots overlaid with coats, waistcoats, and 

 other articles of attire. If not downy they were not very 

 uncomfortable, and were appreciated accordingly. 



We were awake by three o'clock ; and after partaking of 

 a hearty breakfast — a feat which was rendered possible by 

 the glare of the fire — we started off in a body toward the 

 lake, while a half-breed took the hounds to the left, so as 

 to run the deer down toward a large stream that brawled 

 through the woods half a mile below. He had not pro- 

 ceeded twenty yards from camp before the pack started a 

 splendid stag, which came bounding toward us as if he had 

 no fear of man ; and before he could detect our dangerous 

 character the contents of two shot-guns were planted in his 

 sides, and he fell headlong on his antlers. " Good-luck for 

 this day, anyhow," yelled the enthusiast of the party; and, 

 to see that his prophecy was carried out, he commenced a 

 series of mock incantations and an Indian dance about the 

 slain, and wound up with a loud and piercing yell that 

 would have done credit to a Sioux brave in a charge. His 

 ludicrous antics elicited roars of laughter from the specta- 

 tors; and several were shaking so violently from their each- 

 innatory exercise that they could not shoot a buck ten 

 paces away at the time. 



After the ceremony of a mock baptism of the stag, and 

 feeding the hungry hounds with the viscera, we started to- 

 ward the river, as run-ways were exceedingly numerous, 

 and all showed that the deer had used them the previous 

 night, judging by the freshness and direction of the slots. 

 Long before we had taken our stations, which were several 

 yards apart, the musical chorus of the hounds was heard 

 amidst the forest depths, now here, now there, until it finally 

 burst into a full and thrilling cry, which the trees and rocks 

 and hills, and even the lowliest shrub, seemed to take up, 

 and to echo and re-echo in such stentorian tones that the 

 whole country in front appeared to be occupied by en- 



