156 SPORT m NORTH AMERICA. 



skin was a reddish brown, varying in innumerable 

 shades. 



From Pat's tavern to where the deer was killed, 

 the distance was barely half a mile. By the aid of 

 Mr. Eustis's servant, who was at the tavern, we 

 landed the game, and when Pat came back with a 

 mule laden with the four deer we had killed, the 

 supper was all ready for us. Eustis and myself had 

 been the chief cooks, and a capital meal we had 

 contrived with broiled venison steaks, liberally pow- 

 dered with salt and pej^per. 



As soon as evening arrived, we thought of our 

 hunt by night, which was to make such an immense 

 impression upon " the inexperienced young French- 

 man," who was " so great a lover of sport." I let 

 them talk on, and when I saw Mr. Eustis taking up 

 the two lanterns, both fully equipped with oil and 

 wicks, I held my tongue and contented myself with 

 following my leader. Mr. Eustis led the way with 

 Pat and David, and we all got into the canoe. 



It w^as a dark night, but our sight soon grew 

 accustomed to the obscuritj'-, and we hadn't been on 

 the lake long before we had " cats' eyes " for seeing 

 in the dark. The blacks rowed Avith all then- might, 

 and in half an hour we arrived at the further end of 

 a deep creek surrounded with cedars and fir trees. 

 "Now for it," cried Mr. Eustis; "let us light up and 

 it's all over with Mr. Deer." I had no idea of what 

 he was about to do, but I had resolved to hold my 



