With a Tenderfoot 



179 



tree, and prepared to shoot. This was the 

 first time he had ever shot a gun, and it was 

 amusing to see him hold it, with the stock laid 

 almost against his nose. The nimrod was 

 preparing to expostulate in a gathering qualm 

 of conscience; hut it was too late: the Tender- 

 foot fired, — then oh, such a howl, and at the 

 same time he expressed himself thus: "Oh, 

 my! Lord! it kicked like the devil. Oh, my 

 nose! It almost knocked me down. Why 

 did n't j^ou tell me? " 



Presently he recovered from the shock, and 

 went in search of his game; but when he 

 found it, he said, pointing, "Here it is; get 

 it for me, I don't like the looks of it." It was 

 with great difficulty he could be persuaded 

 to take hold of it, even by the tail. This being 

 the first thing he had ever shot in his life, he 

 wanted to have it mounted. 



The portage was made in due time; and 

 after two hours' paddling we landed and 

 made camp for the night. As soon as the 

 canoes were landed, Tenderfoot with one 

 of the Indians and the nimrod started for a 

 small lake, to see if we could get a shot at a 



