FOLLOWING THE TRAIL. 113 
him.” On inquiring how he gained his information, he 
pointed to the tracks; and, sure enough, the off fore-foot, 
instead of making a clean impression, cut the snow for 
nearly a foot. whenever raised off the ground. “You see,” 
said he, chuckling, “he don’t use both alike, for it’s all he 
can do to get this one up.” There was no gainsaying such 
conclusive evidence; and with renewed ardor we sharpened 
the pace of pursuit, alternately changing places, one being 
constantly on the lookout while the other tracked. Once 
or twice we got sight of the deer, but too far off, or for 
too limited ‘a period, to shoot; but the view was always 
cheering. Forward we pressed, exultingly hoping that each 
minute would finish the hunt; but the deer thought other- 
wise, for he was of a most unaccommodating disposition. 
Soon it became apparent that the confounded brute was 
traveling the same circle, and that, unless we altered our 
plans, we might be kept going till dark; and as we were 
not disposed to work harder than necessary, it was agreed: 
that I should drop behind and take up my stand in the 
most eligible place, while Will continued the pursuit with 
the hope of driving our wily foe past my ambush. Though 
the plan was well devised, it failed in execution; for, after 
an hour’s tedious delay, my companion rejoined me, dis- 
gusted and dispirited, heaping anathemas upon the foe, 
pronouncing him to be one of the very foxiest brutes he 
had ever come across, After all our trouble, it would nev- 
er do thus to be defeated ; so I proposed doing the track- 
ing while he took a stand, at the same time changing guns 
at his request. 
Full of hope, and animated with the desire of distin- 
guishing myself, I pushed forward with renewed energy. 
At first the trail was tolerably clear, but after some time 
it led and twisted in every direction through innumerable 
hog-paths. Never was I so sorely puzzled to keep correct ; 
