168 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 
As I had some scruples about destroying animals in this 
manner, I was appointed torch-bearer, and so well did I 
perform my task that my companions killed two deer be- 
fore nine o’clock. We then returned to camp, and were 
rotled up in our blankets half an hour later. If ‘early 
to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, 
wealthy, and wise,” those who go on shooting expeditions 
in the Far West ought to be the healthiest, wealthiest, 
and wisest men in the world, for they, as a rule, are up 
long before the dawn. Most of them have an idea that 
-if the first sunbeams catch them asleep they will have no 
luck during the day, and, as a consequence, they often 
commence work so early that it undermines the constitu- 
tion in a few years, especially if they go out without 
food. 
Thanks to the “lightning member” of our party, who 
threatened to drench those who did not ‘turn out” 
promptly, we were up and stirring long before the sun 
appeared, and by the time its rays began to gild the sur- 
rounding forests, we were armed cap-a-pie and ready for 
work. 
We were in the forest by daylight, and after walking 
about a mile, the Kentuckian espied a stag, fired at him, 
and brought him to the ground. He then advanced to 
cut his throat, but he had scarcely drawn his knife before 
the wounded and infuriated animal bounded to its feet 
and charged him. Striking him in the breast, it hurled 
him to the ground, stamped on him two or three times, 
and was apparently determined to kill him, but before it 
could accomplish its purpose it was shot in the heart by 
one of my companions. The fallen man then picked 
himself up in the promptest manner and commenced ex- 
amining his wounds, but they were neither numerous nor 
severe, being confined to a contusion or two, and a rent 
in his nether garments that almost disrobed him, and 
~made him the butt of many a joke during the remainder 
