

IRoualegn (3eor0e orfcon Cummtno 273 



galloped along with tremendous strid ring an 



amazing extent of ground at every bound ; while her 

 neck and breast coming in contact with the old dead 

 branches of the trees were continually strewing them 

 in my path. In a few minutes I was riding within five 

 yards of her stern, and firing, at the gallop, I sent a 

 bullet into her back. Increasing my pace, I next rode 

 alongside, and placing the muzzle of my rifle within 

 a few feet of her I fired my second shot behind the 

 shoulder ; the ball, however, seemed to have little effect. 

 I then placed myself directly in front, when she came 

 to a walk. Dismounting, I hastily loaded both barrels, 

 putting in double charges of powder. Before this was 

 accomplished she was off at a canter. In a short time 

 I brought her to a stand in the dry bed of a water- 

 course, where I fired at fifteen yards, aiming where I 

 thought the heart lay, upon which she again made 

 off. Having loaded, I followed, and had very nearly 

 lost her ; she had turned abruptly to the left, and 

 was far out of sight among the trees. Once more 

 I brought her to a stand, and dismounted from my 

 horse. There we stood together, alone in the wild 

 wood. I gazed in wonder at her extreme beauty, 

 while her soft dark eye, with its silky fringe, looked 

 down imploringly at me, and I really felt a pang of 

 sorrow in this moment of triumph for the blood I 

 was shedding. Pointing my rifle towards the skies, 

 I sent a bullet through her neck. On receiving it she 

 reared high on her hind legs, and fell backwards 

 with a heavy crash, making the earth shake around 

 her. A thick stream of dark blood spouted out 



18 



