ON THE MAMMALIA OF THIS DISTRICT. 201 



double gun, and unfortunately left my spare single 

 behind. Moreover, I had only six conical balls, for 

 I considered it was 100 to 1 if I got so many shots 

 at elk in one shall. But the sequel will prove the 

 truth of the old adage, that " store is no sore." 



The first drive was precisely over the same 

 ground as on the previous occasion, and I took 

 my old stand. Three guns were left on this 

 tongue of land, and four were sent over the lake 

 to watch a winter way through the forest, where 

 it was probable the elk might break. The arrange- 

 ments were beautifully carried out. We had an 

 hour allowed us to plant ourselves before the 

 beaters started, and I felt confident now, that if 

 elk were only in the drive, one or other of us 

 would surely get a shot. When the heavy mist 

 had cleared away, the sun broke out in all its 

 splendour, and even in England I never remember 

 a more glorious autumnal day. This was lucky 

 for us sentries, for the drive was a long one, and 

 it was nearly two hours before I heard the cries 

 of the beaters. They came nearer and nearer, but, 

 passing by us in the forest below, I gave up this 

 drive as a bad job, for, had elk been in, I naturally 

 fancied we should have seen or heard them before 

 this. I was, therefore, just preparing to leave 

 my post, when a heavy shot to my right boomed 

 over the lake, which was in about five minutes 



