232 HUNTING CAMPS. 



the warning half -cough, half -snort. As they ran off, look 

 as I would, I could not see the stag. I imagined he might 

 be behind, but no, there he was at last, not in the marsh by 

 the pool, as I had expected, but standing apart about forty 

 yards away to the left. He was startled, but uncertain in 

 which direction to break, and with his head turned from me. 



He sprang forward as I fired, fled with gigantic strides 

 across the savanne, and the spruces shut him in. At the 

 same instant I caught sight of Ed tearing across to the right, 

 as it seemed, in pursuit of the does. I ran to the left and 

 immediately overtook the stag. He had come to a stand- 

 still, and was swaying as he stood. A second shot passed 

 through his heart, and I was soon beside him, admiring 

 the massive round horns of a very heavy head. 



While thus pleasingly engaged, I heard a shot, followed 

 by others, and running over the ridges towards the sound, 

 I soon saw, about three hundred yards off, a big stag twist- 

 ing round and round, finally to fall with a crash among 

 some stones on the top of the hard ground on the other 

 side of the savanne. Half-a-dozen does were galloping 

 wildly round, but they all made off as Ed came out from 

 among the trees. It appeared that, as I fired at my stag, 

 he had perceived the second herd of caribou, and slipping 

 along the ridge, got in a shot at the master-stag at three 

 hundred yards. The stag, not knowing where the bullet 

 that struck him came from, ran in towards Ed, who fired 

 at him again as he galloped, hitting him twice, and bringing 

 him down. All the shots were long, and rendered difficult 

 by the bush through which the stag was moving. 



The head had fine tops and bays, and was beautifully 

 palmated, and of quite a different type to my rugged speci- 

 men. Curiously enough, we each preferred the other's 

 trophy. This did not, however, prevent our feeling to the 

 fullest that * sense of satisfaction resulting from success ; 

 which is one of the few joys that have absolutely no reaction. 



