190 SPORT m NORTH AMERICA. 



instinct gave them warning. The scent of tlie deer 

 seemed at fault, and brought them nothing hut the 

 odours of the cedars in the forest, when the stag 

 advanced towards Mr. Howard, followed by his 

 does, and came to within ten j-ards of the tree 

 behind which my friend had concealed himself. At 

 this moment, a red handkerchief waved by Mr. 

 Howard attracted his sight, and instead of fright- 

 ening or stopping him, the stag raised his head, 

 which was surmounted by as fine branches as ever 

 I saw in my life, and came near enough to almost 

 touch the handkerchief with the end of his nose. 

 This was the time for Jack, who sprang upon him, 

 caught him by the throat, and inflicted a severe 

 wound. Off went the stag and his does with the 

 rapidity of lightning, pursued by Jack, Mr. Howard, 

 and Monai, who slid along the snow in their shoes 

 as rapidly as the Dutch skaters do along tlie canals 

 of the Zuyder Zee. I was now left behind, and 

 soon lost sight of them, although I did m}* best to 

 keep up. At last I reached a place where I found 

 traces of the combat which had taken place. The 

 snow was covered with large spots of blood. Far 

 ahead I could hear the voices of Mr. Howard and 

 Jack, and following the track which my compa- 

 nions had left behind them on the snow, in a few 

 minutes I reached a gentle incline descending into 

 a valley, in the midst of which was a lake as 

 round as a basin. Never had I seen a more extra- 



