152 



BIG- GAME OF NORTH AMERICA. 



on. A half -hOur of careful walking, for signs were plenty, 

 and I came on a track crossing mine, that, at first, I thought 

 was an Elk's; but I saw, on inspection, it was a buck's of, 

 the largest size. At the same time, Dash drew on from 

 behind me, lifted his nose in the air, and began his cat-like 

 creep that always told of game near by. I knew I was 



A Portrait. 



directly on the buck, but could see him nowhere. It was 

 now literally crawling with dog and man, when Dash sud- 

 denly came to a stand-still, with nothing in sight, though 

 an absolute certainty of the game being within half -rifle- 

 shot of me. The tension of feeling was now almost painful. 

 I left Dash on his point, turned slowly around an immense 

 laurel-bush which hid a front view, and the mighty game 

 was before me. He was lying down in a body of grass, and 



