126 HUNTERS AND HUNTING IN THE ARCTIC 



turn had trotted up to investigate. I had barely 

 time to sight my rifle before it was away again, 

 fleet as the wind ; I brought it down in full 

 course. 



Another which appeared in the distance had 

 apparently not heard my shot. I left Hans in 

 charge of the dead deer and stalked the other 

 on hands and knees. The glasses told me it 

 was a young fawn. It was both wild and timid, 

 and fled whilst I was still a good distance from it. 

 I was obliged to fire at four hundred yards, and 

 broke its shoulder. It was no longer able to 

 run, but it continued to limp forward. This 

 permitted me to overtake it and photograph it 

 before making an end of it. 



Swensen was much elated at the day's 

 sport, and still eager for further stalking ; but 

 we saw nothing more than stercoraires and gulls, 

 which circled about us, waiting for us to dis- 

 embowel the deer and give them a meal ready 

 prepared. We now had a sufficient supply of 

 fresh meat. As it was becoming late, I decided 

 to return at once to the Belgica, lying far below 

 our feet in a lake of polished silver. So pure 

 is the air in these regions that I was able with 

 the binoculars to recognise in the crow's-nest 

 Joe, who had followed the fortunes of the hunt 

 through a telescope. Wrapped up as he was 



