AND OTHER HUNTING ADVENTURES. 285 



was a small meadow or slough. When half way 

 down the hill I came to a large stump, about four 

 feet high, from which a tree had been cut when the 

 snow was deep. I climbed upon this to take a look 

 at the surrounding country. As I did so, a large 

 buck that had been been lying just below it, sprang 

 from his bed and bounded away through the brush, 

 showing here and there a flash of bis white flag and 

 a gleam of his majestic antlers, but not enough of 

 his body to shoot at. I was perfectly cool now. My 

 nervousness had all disappeared. In short, I was 

 mad. I stood watching his course and awaiting 

 developments with all the confidence and coolness 

 of a veteran, instead of the novice I really was. He 

 ran down the long hill, across the swale, and up the 

 hill on the opposite side, and, on reaching the top of 

 it and coming out upon open ground, turned broad- 

 side and stopped to look at me, doubtless deeming 

 himself perfectly safe at that great distance. Stand- 

 ing erect on that high stump I was clear above the 

 surrounding underbrush and had a fine view of the 

 magnificent quarry. His head was thrown high up 

 and well back; his ears erect, nostrils distended, and 

 even at that distance I imagined I could see the 

 defiant gleam of his jet black eye. His glossy coat 

 glistened in the brilliant autumn sunlight, and his 

 spreading antlers and powerful muscular develop- 

 ment characterized him as a giant among his kind. 

 As I raised my rifle slowly to my shoulder, I felt 

 that at last I had perfect control of my nerves and 

 that I was in some measure to redeem myself from 

 the ignominy of past failures. I had elevated my 

 rear sight for 250 yards, and as I looked through 



