114 CAMP-FIRES OF A NATURALIST. 



two hens were killed out of a bunch which started out 

 of the bushes. A few yards farther on a gray wolf 

 came trotting down the ravine, and was knocked over 

 with a load of shot ; but before Dyche could get to 

 him he recovered his feet and went into the brush. 

 A large amount of blood was left, but the animal suc- 

 ceeded in getting away. Two more turkeys, fine 

 gobblers, were shot on the return, after dark, from 

 the trees where they were roosting. 



The following day was lost by going out with the 

 cowboys hunting deer, and the sixth day was so 

 stormy that all were compelled to keep in -doors. 

 Next day found Dyche again on Wolf Creek, and 

 while watching for a flock of turkeys a wolf came 

 down the ravine. A charge of double-O shot from 

 " old Vesuvius" knocked him over, and this one did 

 not get up again. A short distance further a flock of 

 turkeys was scared out of the bushes and a hen and 

 gobbler killed. These were hung to a tree and the 

 hunt continued. Half a mile farther on a white- 

 tailed deer was seen standing on its hind-feet, with 

 its fore- feet swinging in the air as it nipped the buds 

 from the lower limbs of a tree. The gun had turkey- 

 shot shells in the barrels, and while the deer was not 

 over fifty yards away, the hunter thought he would 

 make sure of it by changing the shells. While so 

 doing a shot slipped into the lock, but during five 

 minutes of nervous work the deer did not get scared 

 and continued to browse. Both barrels were fired 

 to make sure of the shot, and the deer dropped dead 

 within fifty yards of the spot where it had been 

 eating. 



