36 AMERICAN GAME. 
them with their noble antlers. All appeared uncon- 
scious of the approach of their most deadly foes, save 
one noble bull, the leader of the herd. He seemed sus- 
picious—with head erect, eyes darting in every direction, 
ears wagging to and fro, and nostril expanded, he snuffed 
the breeze. Upon this splendid creature the Indian kept 
his eye, never venturing to move, save when the head 
of the Cariboo was turned away. “Inch by inch we ap- 
proached the tree. Oh! the agony of suspense I suf- 
fered in those few minutes! 
“ At length we reached our shelter. No time was 
lost. Howard signed to me to single out a Cariboo, 
while he took the noble leader, which was about 100 
yards distant—the Indian reserving his fire. We sta- 
tioned ourselves each side of the tree, and our rifles 
exploded almost at the same moment. Springing wp to 
see the effect of my shot, I was pulled down by the 
Indian; what was my astonishment to see the bull 
Howard had fired at, stamping the snow and gazing 
around, with fire and rage in his eye, in search of his 
hidden enemy. As I looked at his formidable antlers, 
his majestic height, and great strength—a thought of 
our helpless situation crossed my mind. The Indian 
now rested his gun quietly on the tree, and took a long, 
steady aim—the cap alone exploded with a sharp crack! 
Quick as lightning the bull discovered our ambush, and 
with a loud snort made directly for us. 
Defence or re- 
treat against such a foe, in our situation, up to the waist 
