224, MY SPORTING HOLIDAYS 



of faithful cows. In all my elk-hunting days I never 

 heard a better trio. However, the short October day 

 was drawing in, and, after spending an hour or two 

 in the vain endeavour to get a shot by still -hunting, 

 different tactics were tried. The enclosing ravines 

 were steep and rocky, and the ground favourable for 

 a drive. 



Our first step was to show ourselves to the nearest 

 cows, and move all three bands of elk forward. They 

 presently joined, and the master stag of the three at 

 once seized the opportunity of driving the other two 

 off and appropriating the united bands of cows to 

 himself. This interesting sight we witnessed in an 

 open park half a mile ahead, as they moved along. 

 Leaving my companion to keep behind the herd, and 

 move it in the right direction, I made a rapid detour 

 ahead on more open ground, and posted myself for 

 the drive at the junction of the canons aforesaid, 

 where, concealed in low cover at the top of an open 

 hillside, I could command a view of the strath be- 

 neath. This was my last chance, and it was rapidly 

 getting dusk. The progress of the herd had been 

 slow, owing to the thickness of the pine - forest 

 through which they were making their way, and, as 

 it turned out, I reached the pass just in time. 



After a short suspense yes, that was the leading 

 hind coming out of cover half a mile below ! There 

 were two diverging trails round the crest of the hill. 

 If they came by the right they would get my wind, 

 and I should never see the old bull of the herd, who 

 was bringing up the rear. If to the left, the whole 

 herd would file by me at 60 yards, and the old bull 

 was mine. Steadily the leading hind came on, 

 followed by a band several hundreds strong, whilst 



