106 PEAIKIE AND FOREST. 



dog, and porker, I concluded would start the game off in 

 the reverse direction, so hurriedly retracing my steps, I 

 regained the fence, got over it, and took my stand at an 

 angle that stretched close to a slough which was densely 

 covered with a growth of various aquatic weeds and bushes. 

 In about five minutes after gaining my position, I was 

 greeted by a sight of the beauty, who hopped the fence 

 where there was a broken rail, and gaining the opening, for 

 a moment halted, then tossing up his head, offered me a 

 fair cross shot nearly eighty yards distant Pitching my 

 gun well in front, I pulled the trigger, and well I knew not 

 fruitlessly, for he gave a short protracted jump, dropped 

 his white tail close into his hams, and with an increased 

 pace disappeared in the swamp. 



Unless the wound was mortal, or so severe as to seriously 

 incommode him, I was certain he would not be satisfied to 

 remain in such close propinquity to danger, so alter re- 

 loading I made a detour to find where he had left this cover 

 to seek one more retired. My conjecture was correct, for 

 after travelling nearly half-a-mile, I found the familiar 

 tell-tale track. The snow was in pretty good order, both 

 for tracking and walking, and I did not let the grass grow 

 under my feet. As yet I had seen no signs of blood, which 

 the more thoroughly impressed me that my lead had made 

 more than a skin wound. In about an hour's walking, I 

 found myself on the edge of another slough, which I was 

 hesitating whether to enter or go round, when I espied my 

 friend, some way beyond range, going over a neighbouring 

 swell of the prairie. Of course I cut off the angle and cast 

 forward to where the view was obtained, and as I rose the 



