TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 215 



as it seemed likely they would, of my hunter, who 

 roamed a hillside gathering berries, and eating them 

 in reproachful mouthfuls. So carefully I watched 

 every moment of the little group; there were eight 

 of them, counting the bull I craved, and presently, 

 sure enough, they halted, pulled together, and with 

 little tails erect, as is the way with caribou when 

 startled, trotted back over the path by which they 

 had come. 



Going easily, they passed within a hundred and 

 fifty yards of me, as I waited a chance to get the 

 sights on my bull. A cow suddenly sorted me out as 

 something untoward, and in her amazement cannon- 

 aded violently against the following animal, thus 

 disorganizing and jumbling up the party. The bull 

 was, by this manoeuvre, well in range, outlined like 

 a target, and I speedily took advantage of the excel- 

 lent opportunity, drew a bead on his heart, and fired. 

 The caribou ran on for some paces, and getting in 

 another bullet well behind the shoulder-blade, I saw 

 the animal's nose touch the earth, and he fell forward 

 all of a heap. 



Circling round in wondering amazement, the cows 

 with fearless interest pondered on the disaster which 

 had overtaken their lord. With sniffing noses and 

 extended necks the beautiful animals ventured very 

 close to me. A strange contrast to the conduct of 

 their sister of the mountain top. As my hunter came 

 up, into the midst of this embarras de richesses in 

 the way of meals for days ahead, the cows trotted 

 silently away. 

 Could anything be more exquisite than this head 



