HUNTING THE BLACK-TAILED DEER. 



THE following is Mr. Palliser's account of the pursuit 

 of a black-tailed deer, with a description of that interest- 

 ing animal. 



At a distance my companion perceived three black- 

 tailed deer on the higher hills overhanging the river. He 

 started in pursuit, while I remained to take care of the 

 dogs, that they should not interfere with him and spoil 

 his stalk. I had an excellent view then of both the 

 hunter and his game, which he approached with great 

 skill ; and at last he got a shot, on which the animals 

 rushed off, but one hobbled in the rear ; the bullet had 

 broken his leg. A most exciting race then commenced 

 between the Indian and his broken-legged deer, up and 

 down hill over the frozen snow, my companion evincing 

 the most astonishing powers of endurance in his perse- 

 vering pursuit, gradually regaining the ground he had lost 

 in loading as he ran; till, far in the distance I saw a puff 

 of smoke, and before the faint report of his long gun 



(335) 



