124 WILD SPOETS m THE SOUTH. 



immemorial, doubtless, the great horned herds had 

 wound their way in and out at their pleasure. Here, 

 too, were found tracks of wild hogs, and Mike pointed 

 out to me a broad foot-print of the cougar or panther 

 that had been made only the night before. 



It was agreed that I should lie here concealed behind 

 some branches with my eye on the path leading from the 

 woods, while Mike should go around in the woods and 

 see what had become of the buck. In a moment he was 

 gone, and I was left lying on my breast, with my rifle 

 ready cocked before me, watching the lonely path that 

 led into the forest. 



As soon as Mike was out of sight I began to feel that 

 intense loneliness and shadowy presence that is often 

 with one when in a great forest, particularly if unaccus- 

 tomed to its solitude. The stillness, the majesty of the 

 woods, the strange insects crawling about, the flickering 

 light that complexes the eye, the heart counting the time 

 with heavy throbs, the apprehension of making a noise, 

 all press on the senses with a bewildering power. I felt 

 this sensation, and longed for the deer or Mike, I cared 

 but little which. I sighted my rifle, and tried to deter^ 

 mine from which way the deer would first come, feeling 

 certain he was mine if he appeared. 



As I thus lay putting propositions to myself, I heard a 

 loud snort or whistle directly behind me. I turned has- 

 tily, and away bounded a buck that had been standing 

 apparently within ten feet of me. How I apostrophized 

 my carelessness, and watched the waving grass as he 



