88 PKAIEIE AND FOBEST. 



I was almost rendered incapable of the task by the risibility 

 of the whole affair, for even in his most adroit movements, 

 even when the foe's antlers were within a foot of his body, 

 he kept chaunting through his nasal organ something 

 or other about letting the hills resound, only stopping in 

 his vocal exhibition when he struck the assailant a blow 

 with the butt of his musket, when the exclamation, 

 " One for his knob," would come from his lips with much 

 emphasis. 



At length my approach was perceived, when he retreated 

 towards me, expressing his conviction that he had never 

 doubted that the Lord would send him succour. After the 

 gallant stag had subsided to a neat shoulder-shot, I was 

 graciously awarded a solution of the situation in which I 

 discovered him. 



" I was singing ' the Old Hundred,' and I was in prime 

 voice, and didn't the echoes take it up rejoicingly, for you 

 see it is the first time that this benighted heathen land has 

 heard the voice of a Christian, when that beast, the emis- 

 sary of the evil one doubtless, without a bit of provocation 

 came ramping at me. There was no mistake in his inten- 

 tions, for his eyes were bleared, and I could see he was 

 panting for my blood. So I thinks of my weapon, but in 

 my hurry to let it off, I forgot to fetch it to my cheek, so 

 you see it was a merciful interposition of Providence that 

 caused the charge to go straight " ; and, looking at the 

 carcase he spoke a soliloquy about the children of darkness 

 ever succumbing to the children of light. 



If he had got the weapon to his cheek, our worthy 

 friend would doubtless have missed the stag, which from 



