OPEN-GROUND HUNTING 283 



harem from the lake edge, a proceeding they seemed to resent, 

 being both warm and comfortable. But a four-year-old had 

 just gone by and had made the master jealous and uneasy, 

 so he went gently poking one fair lady after another with his 

 long, spindly horns, and as fast as he got one up and moved 

 to another, the disturbed one treated him to a look of contempt 

 and lay down again. He gave it up at last, and scratched 

 his head with his hind foot as much as to say, " It's no use 

 arguing with the women." 



"I tink those haliboo" (deer), said John, pointing his 

 finger towards a lot of white spots that looked like stones 

 two miles away on the ridge above Sandy Pond. The glass 

 was upon them, and proved that the Indian was right. Fifteen 

 does all asleep, and one great stag, with massive horns, lying 

 in the middle. 



It was just like a stalk in Scotland. We ascended the hill, 

 and again took a look at the herd. The stag alone was awake 

 now, and, with his head up, was looking about in an uneasy 

 manner. What a noble fellow, and certainly the largest 

 framed head I had yet seen. If only both his brows were 

 as good as the one great shovel I saw on the left horn, 

 he must be everything a hunter could desire. But alas, 

 as he turned to me I saw the common hook that did 

 duty for the left brow, and knew he was deficient in one 

 respect. 



However, the head was a great massive one, and I meant 

 to kill him if possible, so we hurried on to get nearer in case 

 the wind should drop. When within 600 yards of the ridge 

 on which the deer lay, we encountered one of those awful 

 little forests of tufts, through which it was absolutely necessary 

 to force one's way, unless we were prepared for a mile circuit. 

 It was only about 300 yards broad, but held us in its octopus 



