GALICIA, 1910 
pressed the trigger I felt sure he was mine. Instead of the report I only 
heard a click and, knowing that the cartridge had misfired, I quickly opened 
and shut the breach again, expecting to put in a fresh cartridge. To my 
disgust I saw that I had flung out a complete cartridge and that the first 
was jammed in the barrel beyond the ejector. It was an awful moment. 
The stag continued to gaze placidly, and I was incapable of injuring him. 
He then galloped slowly along the hill side above and stood again at about 
100 yards, though somewhat hidden in the trees. Then he vanished. There 
was nothing to be done but cut a stick to clear the barrel and to swallow 
one’s disappointment, but I can never use that rifle again. The stag seemed 
to be of immense size, almost as large as a wapiti — in fact, I have little 
doubt that it was one of those giants of over forty stone that still live in 
the Carpathian forests and are seldom seen. I do not think, however, that 
his horns, though large, were in any way remarkable, yet there were at 
least five or six on each top. 
Two dejected creatures then proceeded homewards. We tramped along 
the forest path in no mood for conversation, for there was nothing to be 
said. I had never had a misfire with a rifle before, and it was hard that 
the rifle itself should have refused to work in the presence of a hunting 
trophy that most men aspire to but seldom get. 
With such a reflection I looked up, and there stood a large bear on the 
path, facing us with cocked ears. Pietro saw the beast at once and dived 
out of the way as I brought the rifle to my shoulder, but, alas ! so did old 
Bruin. He had only to take one side step behind a little spruce to be lost 
amongst the only windfall and raspberries in the whole forest. By the 
fraction of a second I failed to fire, for the bear sprang off the path as Pietro 
moved; and though I ran forward at once, hoping to see the beast in retreat, 
he was too cunning, and had kept in the thicket until well out of sight. 
Thus ended the most unfortunate day I had experienced for many years 
in my hunting. 
351 
