318 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPORTS. 



thought I heard a voice, and on looking in the direction 

 from whence it proceeded, I was surprised to see a 

 couple of hunters with a cur dog passing my retreat, 

 about a hundred yards off. He who has shot much in 

 the timber, well knows that if he remains quiet the 

 possibility is, great that those moving about may make 

 the game start towards his retreat. And well it was 

 I did so ; for ere five minutes had passed a grand old 

 turkey, head down, and going like a racerhorse, shot 

 by ; but turkey was not deer, so I let him go, pre- 

 ferring to be without turkey to braving the wrath of 

 Will for firing at illegitimate game. How often 

 patience and forbearance receive their reward ! and so. 

 it was in this instance, for scarcely had the gobbler 

 gone by when a fine large buck hove in sight. From 

 his manner he was evidently alarmed, for every now 

 and then he would stop, snort, and continue his route. 

 Unfortunately, he was heading so as to pass too far off 

 to afford a good shot, and the ground was too clear to 

 permit me, with any prospect of success, to better my 

 position ; so I had almost made up my mind not to 

 shoot. However, I changed my resolution, for as soon 

 as he came abreast of me, he halted, and looked around. 

 The temptation I could no longer withstand; so, 

 pitching my gun with due elevation, I let drive the 

 first barrel, but with no apparent result, for the deer 



