JUST IN TIME. 243 



they are taking, -they will pass us at about 130 yards, and if 

 we let this chance slip they are lost. 



I have scarcely got into position for a shot before they are 

 abreast of us ; but the birch bushes are so thickly scattered 

 over the steep hillside, that we only catch occasional glimpses 

 of the animals as they move amongst them. Taking advan- 

 tage of a convenient bit of rock for a rest, I let drive at the 

 first buck that shows himself. He fortunately happens to be 

 a beauty. To my intense concern, he only acknowledges the 

 shot by a spasmodic movement of his short tail, as he turns 

 round and slowly retraces his steps up through the brush- 

 wood. Quickly exchanging the empty single rifle for the 

 double, another bullet speeds after a grand fellow, as he 

 appears traversing a small opening between the bushes. 

 This time a decided wince follows the shot in addition to 

 the shake of the tail; but he moves steadily upward with 

 the rest, until they file slowly over a bare bit of ground, all 

 of them now in view, but almost out of range. In despair I 

 give them a parting salute with the remaining barrel before 

 they become hidden, one by one, from our sight. 



A feeling of helpless disappointment seems to pervade us all 

 as we sit mutely there gazing up to where the animals have 

 disappeared. So disgusted am I with my performance that I 

 hardly care to reload the guns. At length Gamoo breaks the 

 silence by expressing a decided opinion that, from the fact of 

 their "wagging their tails," as he put it, on receiving the 

 shots, one buck is hit, if not both. Whilst he is speaking, a 

 clattering noise is suddenly heard far up in the direction the 

 beasts have taken, and to our great joy we soon see it is 

 caused by one of them coming toppling and rolling down 

 until it lodges among the bushes below. After intently lis- 

 tening for some time, in hopes of another following suit, we 

 jump up in great glee, and proceed to examine our prize. 



I certainly ought to have been satisfied with my success 

 in securing such a magnificent trophy, for the horns were 



