AN OBSTINATE TRIGGER. 115 



ras, wound its sluggish, peaceful way toward its parent 

 stream, the Wabash ; and direct for the nearest part of 

 this river the deer had gone. Still I could not bring my- 

 self to believe that a buck at this season, with plenty of ice 

 in the water, would hazard an aquatic performance; but 

 my doubts were soon solved ; for, on reaching the margin, 

 with surprise I saw the deer upon the ledge of ice attached 

 to the bank struggling violently to keep his footing, the 

 disabled leg, which appeared to hang powerless, evidently 

 now causing serious inconvenience to his progress over the 

 slippery surface. Such an opportunity to finish my work 

 was not to be neglected ; so, cocking the rifle, I pitched it 

 forward and drew a bead, but still no report followed. All 

 my power and exertion could not pull the trigger. Again 

 and again I looked at the lock, and essayed another effort, 

 but with the same result. At length, in despair, I desisted ; 

 and the deer, having altered his mind, came ashore and dis- 

 appeared through the tangled brake. Of course, to exam- 

 ine the gun and inform myself what was wrong was my 

 first thought. My surprise may be well imagined when, 

 with all iny endeavors, I could not get the hammer down ; 

 there it would stand ; not a particle of compromise was 

 in the confounded thing. All my skill in mechanism was 

 called into play, all my past experience put to use ; and 

 not until my patience was nearly exhausted did I discover 

 the use of the second trigger. Discouraged I was; but 

 whether most at my own stupidity or want of luck I know 

 not. Still hoping for another chance, I followed on in no 

 very amiable frame of mind. 



Time fled, and the long shadows of the trees told of the 

 rapid approach of night; still not a sight did I further get 

 of the buck; and to add to my troubles, the tracks a sec- 

 ond time led through ground that hogs had lately fed over. 

 Never was I so sorely puzzled. Backward and forward I 



