xxiv THE WAPITI 383 



leather case, as though it were a sword being drawn from the 

 scabbard. I have never seen any plan equal to this, as you can 

 gallop through bush without the rifle being any obstacle whatever, 

 and you can draw it in an instant. 



I was riding along a ridge overlooking a valley upon my right, 

 a few days after we had seen the bears, when I caught sight of a 

 cotton-wood tree upon the margin of the spruce forest, that was 

 shaking violently. At once divining the cause, I dismounted, and 

 leaving my horse, I sat down upon the very steep grass slope, and 

 thus shuffled along the incline until I was opposite the spot. 1 

 could see nothing, but after waiting for about a minute, I observed 

 another cotton-wood shaking a few yards from the outside edge of 

 the spruce forest. I knew that a wapiti must be rubbing its antlers 

 against the yielding stem. The wind was in my favour, therefore, 

 as I could not discern the animal, I felt that it did not see me ; 

 accordingly I crept along the ground until I arrived at the margin 

 of the wood. Again the tree shook, not 20 yards from me ; still 

 I could see nothing, owing to the thickness of the vegetation. I 

 crept slowly towards the spot, and almost immediately I heard a 

 tremendous rush ; at the same moment I caught sight of a most 

 glorious stag as he sprang down the hill, passing me within 15 

 yards. 



As I pulled the trigger, I heard a sound as though a horse had 

 fallen. The great rush continued, and was passing on my right. 

 A few steps regained the open, and eight magnificent stags at full 

 gallop passed me in single file within 60 yards. I put up the rifle, 

 took the line of sight, and lowered it again without pulling the 

 trigger, as I knew my beast was down. I watched these superb 

 animals as they dashed across the valley and breasted the steep 

 hill on the other side, almost with regret that I had spared them 

 from the shot. I now re-entered the forest, and found my first 

 wapiti lying dead. This was indeed a glorious creature, with a 

 pair of antlers which looked like the branches of a tree. I would 

 not have it touched, but I immediately rode to camp, about two 

 miles distant, for my wife to come and admire this lovely specimen ; 

 at the same time I ordered the mules with their pack saddles, to 

 bring home the flesh. When we opened this animal, the fat was 

 several inches thick upon the brisket. 



This was the commencement, and I could not help reflecting 

 upon the absurdity of the situation. I had come a great distance 

 to shoot, but the circumstances rendered indiscriminate shooting 

 impossible to any person who was experienced in fair game. If 

 there had been Indian tribes, I should have been delighted to have 



