332 DEATH OF THE PATRIARCH. 



length he enters the brush, and the green screen 

 parted by his force closes behind him. Certain 

 that the animal's career on earth is short, I refrain 

 from putting in the second barrel, but content 

 myself with reloading that which has been dis- 

 charged. This duty performed, again the lithe 

 paddle dips deep and strong, again our craft is 

 under control, and like an animated creature, speeds 

 upon the desired course. Ere it touches the shore, 

 with a dexterous back stroke, the stern is swung 

 round, and I spring upon the beach. Cautiously 

 the verdant hemlocks are parted, and my eyes, 

 strained to their greatest power, peer into the shady 

 solitude. Half-a-dozen steps forward, and I am 

 gratified with a view of what I seek. The monarch 

 of his genus stands towering in front of me, the 

 only movement in his body denoting animation 

 being that of his long flaccid tongue, apathetically 

 licking in the gloats of his heart's blood, as if he 

 knew that his life depended on retaining them. 

 But no earthly aid can now save him, his doom is 

 sealed, and his glassy eyes shall never again look 

 upon the favourite haunts of his youth. Closer 

 to the victim I approach ; at length his lustreless 

 eyes see me ; to be revenged on his destroyer, he 

 nerves himself for a final effort, but, brave as is the 

 resolve, it is too lately formed to be carried into 

 effect, for the effort brings him crashing headlong 

 to the ground ; the limbs refuse a further call to 

 serve, and express their incapacity so to do by a 



