A Day with the Elk 



struggled up and went stumbling along. 

 There was no need of another shot. He 

 was nearly spent, and my only thought was 

 to get him as near camp as possible. For- 

 getting all about the danger of going too 

 near a wounded elk, I was close at his 

 quarter, hurling sticks and stones at him to 

 drive him home, as one would an ox. The 

 hill was steep ; my second shot had broken 

 his shoulder ; he pitched rather than walked 

 down the slope ; and finally fell forward in a 

 heap and breathed his last. 



He was not the monster I had lost, but 

 he was a grand big one; as big as any we 

 had killed on that trip. I had what I wanted 

 at last, and having marked well the spot 

 where he lay, I heaved a sigh of satisfaction 

 and started for camp. 



In half an hour I was stowing away a well- 

 earned supper, and fighting my battle over 

 again for the benefit of all who chose to 

 listen. About nine o'clock I went back with 

 two packers and a horse to where my prize 

 lay stiff and cold. By the light of a roaring 

 fire we cut him up, and then, loading the 

 horse with what we wanted, we left the re- 



71 



