THE RIVER KATARINA AND LAKE PEARSON 281 



brown sides of a huemul buck ; behind him were two does, half 

 hidden in the thicket. Findintr that they had perceived me, I lay- 

 down on the grass and watched to see what they would do. One 



CAA'.^Doy OF 



KAIAKINA 



could read in their movements and attitudes the battle between 

 timiditvand curiosity that was oroino- on within them. A third half- 

 grown doe now appeared, and all four began to drift, as it were, 

 slowly in my direction, keeping their eyes tixed upon me all the 

 time. Now and again they would stop, then move on a few steps 

 nearer, but after a long time they grew courageous enough to 

 come right up 10 me, and the younger doe sniffed at my boot, then 

 started back some paces, her companions naturally following her 

 example. I could easily have touched her w ith my hand during a 

 good part of the time. At last the buck lowered his horns as it with 

 the intention of turning me over, but the sun was now sinking, and 

 I was obliged to take m\ wa\' homewards. As I stirred the 

 huemules made off, but halted at a short distance to stare again at 

 the queer ol^ject which had for the first time in tl.eir lives entered 

 within their ken. 



