INCIDENTS OF STILL-HUNTING 239 



us to the stag, which looked to be a splendid one. McGaw 

 aimed carefully and fired, and the stag only raised his head 

 sharply. Then I fired. My bullet evidently struck a stone 

 just under the deer's brisket, and, causing some particles 

 to touch the stag, frightened it. As it galloped away my 

 companion fired again without effect, and immediately after- 

 wards, as the animal dashed up to the forest, I let go my 

 second shot, which fortvmately broke the beast's neck. This 

 was the only long shot I fired during the trip, and I felt much 

 elated at bringing it off. When we got up to the fallen one, 

 we were much surprised to find that it was not dead, although 

 its neck was actually broken by the bullet, so I shot it through 

 the heart to end matters at once. The head proved to be 

 one of the largest I have seen in Newfoundland, the horns 

 being long (40 inches) and massive, but with very few points — 

 nineteen. This being the first good trophy we had secured, 

 we returned to breakfast in great spirits, as we were now in 

 the real home of the stags, and I hoped my friend would 

 secure such another during the next few days. 



Camping and hunting alone or with a companion offers 

 no great hardship or difficulty in Newfoundland, and but for 

 the trouble of cutting logs, washing dishes, and lighting the 

 early morning fire, it is much the same as if your men were 

 with you. We had, however, chosen a shocking site on a 

 steep slope, and our fire was continually tumbling down the 

 hill into the river and throwing its heat, when we wanted it, 

 in the wrong direction. 



This day, 21st September, proved to be a very enjoyable 

 one. We spent the morning in photographing and sketching, 

 &c., and then, taking some provisions, started down the river 

 for the rest of the day. 



After proceeding a mile, the rain, which had been threaten- 



