i88 SPORT AND TRAVEL 



its head just beyond the stem of a large tree, which 

 covered its whole neck and part of its shoulder. 

 Another tree covered its hind-quarters, but all the 

 rest of its body was exposed, and there was noth- 

 ing therefore to hinder a bullet from reaching its 

 lungs. 



I was now sitting down with my elbows resting on 

 my knees, and this large animal was not more than 

 one hundred yards away from me. As I pulled the 

 trigger, I believed myself to be perfectly steady, and 

 felt absolutely sure that I was not only about to hit, 

 but to kill my first wapiti with a shot through the 

 lungs. At the report of the rifle, however, he showed 

 no sign of being hit, but just moved a couple of steps, 

 and having half turned at the same time, stood in 

 such a way that I could see nothing of him but his 

 head and a piece of his hind-quarters. Thinking he 

 would again walk forwards and give me another 

 chance of a shot at a vital spot, I reserved my fire. 

 After standing still for a few seconds, however, he 

 dashed off without giving another chance, as he was 

 always covered more or less completely by tree stems. 

 His actions after my shot had certainly given no in- 

 dication that he was wounded ; but it is difficult to 

 make sure on such a point ; and I could not believe I 

 had missed him. Indeed, I fully expected to find 

 him lying dead at no great distance, shot through 

 the lungs. However, after having followed on his 

 tracks for several miles without finding a single drop 



