HUNTS AND EXPLORATIONS 49 



and heard the report of Astrup's rifle. In an instant they 

 were scampering off in every direction, and although Astrup 

 fired shot upon shot not one dropped. One of the animals, 

 however, after running some distance, stumbled and fell, lay 

 still for an instant, then got up, ran on a few yards, and fell 

 again. As it did not rise I judged it had received one of 

 Astrup's bullets, and forgetting how deceptive distances are 

 in the pure, clear air, I started on the run toward the prostrate 

 creature, apparently not more than a mile distant. Happen- 

 ing to look back, I saw Dr. Cook and Ikwa coming in my 

 direction, and waited for them. On reaching me the doctor 

 said they were on their way to help Astrup bring in his game. 

 I called his attention to the little white spot on the green 

 grass, and told him it was a deer, and that I had seen it drop. 

 As we could see nothing of Astrup, we decided to take care 

 of the animal. Dr. Cook had his rifle loaded with twelve 

 cartridges, Ikwa had a muzzle-loader charged, and an extra 

 load for it besides, and I had on my cartridge-belt and re- 

 volver (a 38-caliber Colt). After walking — or trotting would 

 perhaps express it better — for some distance, we came to a 

 stream that flowed down the center of the valley throughout 

 its length, which we had to cross in order to reach our desti- 

 nation. Fortunately the doctor had on his long-legged rubber 

 boots, for we soon saw that the only way to get on the other 

 side was to wade the stream. We tried it at different places, 

 and finally the doctor found a place where he could cross. 

 First taking his rifle and my revolver and belt of cartridges 



