126 SHOOTING BY TTJRN8. 



wide, and extending between a quarter and half a mile in 

 length. 



As we approached these ponds, the river became broad 

 and shallow. Natural meadows, covered with tall grass and 

 weeds, stretching away on either hand. When we came to 

 this portion of the river, the oars were shipped, and our boat- 

 men took their seats in the stern with their paddles. Smith 

 was in the bow of one boat, and Spalding in that of the 

 other, each with rifle in hand, preparatory to the slaughter 

 of a deer, to provide us with venison. It was arranged that 

 the marksman who fired and failed to secure his game, 

 should change places with the one behind him, and that thus 

 the rotation should go on, till we should bring down a deer. 

 We knew that we should see numbers of them feeding along 

 the margin of the stream, and upon the natural meadows 

 that skirted the shore. The stream was winding and tortu- 

 ous, and at no time could we see more than five-and-twenty 

 rods in advance of us, so crooked is its course. 



We were moving up the stream cautiously and silently ; 

 the boatman who had charge of the craft in which were 

 Smith and myself, seated in the stern, paddling, and Smith 

 himself seated in the bow, with rifle in hand, ready for any- 

 thing that might turn up. As the boat rounded a point, a 

 deer started out from among the reeds on the right, and 

 went dashing and snorting across the river directly in front 

 of the boat, and five or six rods ahead, the water being only 

 'about two feet in depth. Smith blazed away at him ; where 

 the ball went, Mercy knows ; but the deer dashed forward 



