214 THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA. 



and stood broadside toward me. I took my rifle quickly to 

 my eye, drew a firm and steady aim on her shoulder and fired. 

 She made a few halting, undecisive leaps and then settled 

 down to a steadier, though evidently painful, run. By this 

 time I had slipped in another cartridge, and as she crossed a 

 slight opening in the palmettos, probably a hundred and 

 thirty yards oft, I pulled in about thee feet ahead of her and 

 let go a second time. Rover had started for her at the first 

 shot, and as she was badly hurt and losing strength all the 

 time he gained rapidly upon her. I stood and watched the 

 race. I saw the deer pass along the margin of a pond three 

 or four hundred yards distant, and as she attempted to jump 

 a log she staggered and fell. The dog was upon her in a 

 second, and I started in hot haste to secure my prize. 



She was still alive when I arrived, but I hastily dispatched 

 her with my knife. I found on examination that my first 

 shot had penetrated her shoulder, passed through and out on 

 the opposite side, just in front of the other shoulder. My 

 second shot had missed entirely. She was probably not run- 

 ning as fast as I estimated and I had held too far ahead. I 

 dressed the deer and carried her home. 



On arriving at the house, Mr. Griffith, a son-in-law of 

 our host, who lives only a mile below, was there with his 

 boat, and -kindly informed me that he had prepared a fishing- 

 jack, and made all other necessary preparations to take us all 

 out fire-fishing that night. 



This is another species of sport I had never yet tested, 

 and was delighted with the prospect of an evening's experi- 

 ence in it. 



As soon as we had eaten supper, it being then dark enough 

 for our light to show well upon the water, we started out. 

 Our party consisted of Mrs. Guptill, my wife, Mr. Griffith, 

 Will Webb, Captain Squyer and myself, six in all. We dis- 



