UP THE OBWEGATCHIE. — SHOT AT A DEER. 245 



Here was virgin wilderuess, —no dead trees or flood -wood, 

 and no alders, but the shores eoniing down with solid step 

 to the water's edge; and the hi-oa(l-liml)e(l, vigorous forest 

 stretched its leafy arms high above oui* lieads, out o^er the 

 pure, flowing water. Between enjoyment of the scenery 

 and the shade, and the pleasure of fl3^-casting, with vary- 

 ing success, over the promising pools and eddies and at the 

 mouths of little streams, the full day-light slii)ped uncon- 

 sciously away, and dusk descended like dew upon river 

 and forest. 



Suddenly, there appeared in the distance, before my 

 dreamy gaze, the faintest tinge of dull red against the 

 green foliage of the river bank. In a whisper I directed 

 my guide's attention to it, and between us we made out the 

 outlines of a deer standing upon a rock and quietly 

 feeding in the river's edge. I was in the bow of the 

 boat, and nw guide sat in the stern plying the paddle. 

 Carefully laying aside my rod. and raising my rifle and 

 bringing it to l)ear upon the beautiful animal, I kept steady 

 aim while we silently drew nearer,— my guide whispering, 

 " Don't shoot until I give you the word!" The deer went 

 on silently feeding as we gradually approached withour 

 l)eing seen,, until we were perhaps not more than ten rods 

 distant from him. I grew impatient for the word, but my 

 guide whispered again, "Wait a minute more— we can get 

 closer! " Suddenly, without raising his head to look at us, 

 the deer leaped with a whirl upon the shore like a lightning 

 flash, and plunged into the woods. As he leaped, my 

 guide shouted "Shoot!" And I shot! I n(!ver yet had 



