A DEER SHOT. 179 



to be found, and we were completely at fault in our 

 search. 



At length, tired and disappointed, I returned to the 

 boat ; and stood waiting the return of Mitchell, when 

 the sharp crack of his rifle again rang through the 

 forest, followed soon after by a shrill whistle. I 

 knew then that a deer had fallen, and hastened to the 

 spot. There lay the beautiful creature stretched on 

 the moss, with the life-blood welling from her throat, 

 and over the body, watching, stood Mitchell, leaning 

 on his rifle. Unable to find the trail, he had made a 

 shrewd guess as to the course the animal had taken, 

 and making a circuit, finally came upon her, lain 

 down to die. At his approach she sprang to her feet, 

 ran a few rods, fell again exhausted, when his deadly 

 aim planted a bullet directly back of her ear, and her 

 career was ended. 



Satisfied with our game, we gave up the fishing, 

 and dragging the body to the boat, put back to our 

 camp. The rest of our company stood on the shore 

 waiting our return, for they had heard the shots, and 

 were expecting the spoils. Some, no doubt, will think 

 this very cruel, and congratulate themselves on their 

 kinder natures. I have seen such people, and heard 



