Deer-Hunting on the Au Sable. 



247 



the 



but I soon ceased to 

 regard that as an 

 objection. The place 

 was exposed ; there 

 was no shelter; the 

 cold wind and 

 driving snow and 

 rain had it all 

 their own way 

 with me. My 

 hands became 

 numb, and the 

 metal of my rifle 



UNDER THE CEDARS. 



stung them. I did not put on my 

 heavy gloves, lest a deer should 

 come and they should prove an awkward impediment. I stood 

 my rifle against a tree, stuck them in my pockets, and watched 

 the river, while my teeth chattered like miniature castanets. The 

 wind howled down through the trees, and clouds of yellow and 

 russet leaves came sailing into the river and hurried away upon 

 its surface. I was undeniably, miserably cold. But hark ! I 

 seized my rifle. Yes, there it was, sure enough, the bay of a 

 dog in the distance ! I forgot to be cold. Nearer it came, and 

 nearer and nearer, and each moment I thought would bring the 

 deer crashing through the thickets into the river. Nearer and nearer 

 the dogs came, until their deep bays resounded and echoed through 

 the forest as if they were in a great hall. But no deer appeared, and 

 the dogs held their course, on, down, parallel with the river. " Bet- 

 ter luck next time," I said to myself, somewhat disconsolately; but I 

 was disappointed. Presently the sharp, ringing crack of a rifle rang 

 out and reverberated across the forest ; another and another followed; 

 and as I began to get cold again, I tried to console myself by medi- 

 tating on the luck of other people. I stamped my feet ; I did the 

 London cabman's exercise with my hands and arms ; I drew beads 



