THE RIVER KATARINA AND LAKE PEARSON 281 



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

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

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



CANMDOM OF THE KIVEK KATARINA 



could read in their movements and attitudes the battle between 

 timidity and curiosity that was going 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 fixed 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 to 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 with my hand during a 

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

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

 I was obliged to take my way homewards. As I stirred the 

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

 the queer object which had for the first time in their lives entered 

 within their ken. 



