ELK. 169 



track, turn to one side, and squat in a little ravine or 

 clump of sage bush. When they lost sight of him the 

 Indians would dismount, take the trail, follow it up, jump 

 the game, now slightly refreshed by the rest, and off all 

 would go again. This was done several times, until 

 finally, completely exhausted, the elk squatted in some 

 high grass, and one of the Indians, walking up, finished 

 him with a pistol shot. 



An old army friend, who was stationed many years 

 ago in the Indian territory, has told many stories of 

 splendid and successful runs in that open and beautiful 

 country. He even yet, however, bears a grudge against 

 one especial buck, which outwitted him. 



He was out hunting alone, and had got nothing. To 

 make matters worse, a cold rain set in, drenching him to 

 the skin. On his way homeward he came upon a mag- 

 nificent buck elk alone. Dismounting, he crept up, took 

 good aim, and ' snapped.' Powder was pricked into the 

 tube of his old-fashioned muzzle-loader, but all to no 

 purpose. The gun snapped again and again. The 

 powder in the barrel was hopelessly wet, and would not 

 burn. Eeturning to his horse, he mounted, and after a 

 splendid dash came alongside of the buck, who, however, 

 would not break his trot, even although the horse ran 

 against him. Lifting with one hand his rifle high above 

 his head, he brought the heavy barrel with full force 

 across the elk's back, without apparently producing the 

 slightest effect. Again and again the blows fell, until, 

 after receiving about a dozen, the elk made up his mind 

 he had had enough, and, when the heavy barrel again 

 descended, he by a quick motion to the right avoided it. 

 The blow fell with terrific force against the horse's ribs, 

 almost breaking them in, and nearly dislocating my 

 friend's arm. The chase was continued, however, for 

 some distance farther, when, coming to a small lake or 

 pond of water, the elk plunged in, and only stopped 

 when the water was over his back. The lakelet was out 



