MY WOODLAND INTIMATES 



strangely like ourselves?" may have been the 

 question the beautiful eyes were asking, as they 

 gazed and gazed upon the prostrate form. 

 " Will he harm us? Are we foolish to linger? " 

 Yet, with the curiosity of wild things concern- 

 ing unusual objects, they came nearer and nearer 

 until they almost touched the man. 



The hunter's instinct stirred mightily within 

 the traveller as he looked at the lovely creatures. 

 His gun lay beside him; his hand was almost 

 upon it. Should he fire? 



He gazed a moment longer into the beautiful, 

 wondering, innocent eyes, then suddenly raised a 

 harmless, empty hand. At the quick gesture the 

 frightened creatures turned and fled. The man 

 rose and watched until the last of the flock had 

 disappeared, and the feeling that he experienced 

 as he gazed was something nobler than the exul- 

 tation of a successful hunter. 



A long, loud whistle was answered by a fa- 

 miliar whinny; and in a short time the horse, 

 refreshed and eager to continue the journey, 

 came galloping up to her master. 



After the usual greetings were over the trav- 

 eller mounted, and his horse bore him to the top 

 of the highest eminence of the entire region. 



