HELD UP ' BY A CARIBOU STAG 



163 



' lead ' or path until presently he stood confronting the two men 

 a magnificent animal, snorting with rage, pawing up the stiff soil 

 until showers of debris fell over his broad brown back. He pre- 

 sented a perfect picture of evil fury incarnate. 



Harry levelled his gun at the heart of the stag, but at the pres- 

 sure of the trigger there came no report only the snapping of the 



'BOTH MEN WERE DRIVEN TO MAKE A HASTY RETREAT.' 



percussion-cap. The powder in the nipple of the antiquated weapon 

 was wet from contact with the rain-laden bushes. 



An attempt on the part of Alfred to finish the career of the stag 

 ended with a similar fiasco. Thereupon, as though recognizing 

 their helplessness, the enraged animal immediately charged home, 

 so that both men were driven to make a hasty retreat. Happily 

 for them a large clump of ' tucking bushes ' offered a convenient, 

 and for a time an effective shelter. 



