36 AMERICAN GAME. 



them with their noble antlers. All appeared uncon- 

 scious of the approach of their mo^t deadly foes, save 

 one noble bull, the leader of the herd. He -seemed sus- 

 picious with head erect, eyes darting in every direction , 

 ears wagging to and fro, and nostril expanded, he snuffed 

 the breeze. Upon this splendid creature the Indian kept 

 his eye, never venturing to move, save w T hen the head 

 of the Cariboo was turned away. Inch by inch we ap- 

 proached the tree. Oh ! the agony of suspense I suf- 

 fered in those few minutes ! 



" At length we reached our shelter. l^o time was 

 lost. Howard signed to me to single out a Cariboo, 

 while he took the noble leader, which was about 100 

 yards distant the Indian reserving his fire. We sta- 

 tioned ourselves each side of the tree, and our rifles 

 exploded almost at the same moment. Springing up to 

 see the effect of my shot, I was pulled down by the 

 Indian; what was my astonishment to see the bull 

 Howard had fired at, stamping the snow and gazing 

 around, with fire and rage in his eye, in search of his 

 hidden enemy. As I looked at his formidable antlers, 

 his majestic height, and great strength a thought of 

 our helpless situation crossed my mind. The Indian 

 now rested his gun quietly on the tree, and took a long, 

 steady aim the cap alone exploded with a sharp crack ! 

 Quick as lightning the bull discovered our ambush, and 

 with a loud snort made directly for us. Defence or re- 

 treat against such a foe, in our situation, up to ther waist 



