ACKOSS THE SUB-AKCTICS OF CAIJADA 



Indians, who were unarmed, crept behind close on our heels, 

 evidently courting the protection of the rifles. The hill being 

 high and steep, we were all pretty badly winded before the 

 summit was reached, so a halt was made to recover breath 

 and nerve, for by this time suspense and nervous expectation 

 ^vero keyed up to a pretty high pitcL A few minutes' pause, 

 however, greatly relieved the situation, and, having examined 

 our rifles, we cautiously crept the remaining distance until, 

 our eyes coming level with the brow of the hill, we found our- 

 selves suddenly within full view of nine huge dark, shaggy 

 forms, which, of course, we knew to be musk-oxen. They 

 were all within comparatively close range, not more than one 

 hundred yards distant. It is quite impossible for me to 

 describe the thrill of admiration and excitement which now 

 possessed us, but in an instant we selected the two nearest 

 bulls and fired. Both staggered, but to our surprise neither 

 fell, so without stirring we fired and fired again before 

 they fell. 



The remaining seven animals, apparently not having 

 located us, were thrown into a state of frenzy and rushed 

 back and forth in a state of wild disorder. 



Having dispatched the first two victims, we turned our rifles 

 upon the next two most dangerous-looking brutes and brought 

 one to earth, but the other, having located us, and with 

 blood streaming from a wound in his side, led the band in a 

 furious charge straight for our position. Nor did we try to 

 evade their bloodthirsty onslaught, but, springing from con- 

 cealment to our feet, we met them with three deadly volleys. 

 This so demoralized the band that only one young ox got 

 away unharmed. The remaining eight were either killed or 

 wounded. In the heat of the encounter we had forgotten our 

 Indians, but they had thought of themselves and had kept 

 close behind us. They were now set to work to skin and 

 save the best meat of the slain oxen, whilst we proceeded to 

 dispatch the woimded. This was by no means an easy task. 



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