THE DEEK 



Boucharville and tho wounded Wapiti. 



The Wapiti, or American Elk, commonly frequents the deep forests and rocky mountains of Canada ; hut 

 it is also met with on the upper Missouri. It is one of the largest of the deer kind. The horns are of im- 

 mense size, and grow with extraordinary rapidity ; having been found to measure as much as five feet in 

 length, and to grow, at certain periods, full an inch and a half a day. 



The Wapiti when wounded, is a dangerous antagonist. The following story is from Palliser's " Adven- 

 tures of a Hunter : — " " Having gained a favorable position about one hundred and fifty yards from the 

 nearest of a flock of Wapiti, I chose, a fine old Stag, while Boucharville, with an eye to superior meat, 

 singled out a doe. Both shots went off together, when the smoke cleared away, we espied a Wapiti lying 

 down. The next instant down rolled the Stag also. On coming near my Stag, he struggled to rise, but 

 unable to gain his feet rolled back again. I looked towards the other, when what was my surprise at 

 witnessing a regular combat between Boucharville and his wounded Elk, now transformed into a very 

 formidable antagonist. Springing on her haunches, she was- striking furiously at him with her fore-feet ; 

 one hoof missed him, but the other fell on his rifle, which he held up for his protection, and smashing both 

 his ramrod and his loading-stick, beat him down on his knees. Rising a second time, she was about to 

 repeat the attack, when my bullet caught her in the side of the head behind the eye, and with a splendid 

 bound she fell lifeless on the broa9 of her back. 



A Wapiti. 



A Fallow Deer. 



A Wapiti, or American Elk. 

 (154) 



