254 WILD SPORTS IN THE SOUTH. 



light. The boat is directed straight toward him, and the paddler 

 is as still as a statue. I aimed and fired. From beyond the 

 smoke I heard the splashing and dashing of water, and a big buck 

 dashed past me, and then two others, all rushing off together for a 

 belt of timber that arose close by us on our right. As they 

 ascended the bank, I aimed at the hindermost with my remaining 

 barrel and fired, and at the sharp ring of the rifle he fell back 

 convulsively dead. 



" We hastened to the shore, and, carrying with us the light from 

 the boat, we found the deer I had first fired at lying with a broken 

 shoulder, just dead, in the high grass. The second was lying 

 among the lily pads, where he had fallen, the ball having passed 

 through the centre of his neck, breaking the spine and killing him 

 instantly. They were both large bucks of six tines, with their 

 horns fully grown. It seemed a marvel — something that was as 

 supernatural as the weird scene around us — to see those two noble 

 beasts that, a moment before, were the wildest forest things that 

 range the earth, so still and heavy, in among the lilies and the 

 sword-grass. 



" ' Wall, wall, that was purty well done,' said Hank. 



" But Hank's praise could not lighten the dull leaden weight of 

 the stags, nor relieve my mind from the lurking impression that 

 the coming by night into these solitudes, to shoot down two of the 

 lords of the soil while at their food, was not the part of a brave 

 man. But what is the use of moralising ? Some men sin without 

 thought, others with much; but I opine that the much thought 

 don't deter from a repetition of the sin. 



" With a good deal of labour we hoisted our two deer into the 

 canoe, and paddled home to the sleeping camp, and then " 



" Tuck a drink," said Mike, whom we all thought fast asleep, 

 from under his arm. 



" A drink ! no, sir, I was more intoxicated with my hunt than a 

 gallon of whisky would have made me." 



" All who believe Poke's story, signify it by saying I." 



 I," said Poke. 



" I 'se sure maussa tell fur true 'bout firin' in de stump part," 

 suggested Scip. 



