252 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
tree shook, not 20 yards from me; still I could 
see nothing, owing to the thickness of the vegetation. 
I crept slowly towards the spot, and almost 
immediately I heard a tremendous rush; at the same 
moment I caught sight of a most glorious stag as 
he sprang down the hill, passing me within 15 yards. 
As I pulled the trigger, I heard a sound as though 
a horse had fallen. The great rush continued, and 
was passing on my right. A few steps regained the 
open, and eight magnificent stags at full gallop 
passed me in single file within 60 yards. I put up 
the rifle, took the line of sight, and lowered it again 
without pulling the trigger, as I knew my beast was 
down. I watched these superb animals as they 
dashed across the valley and breasted the steep hill 
on the other side, almost with regret that I had 
spared them from the shot. I now re-entered the 
forest, and found my first wapiti lying dead. This 
was indeed a glorious creature, with a pair of antlers 
which looked like the branches of a tree. I would 
not have it touched, but I immediately rode to camp, 
about two miles distant, for my wife to come and 
admire this lovely specimen ; at the same time I 
ordered the mules with their pack saddles, to bring 
home the flesh. When we opened this animal, the 
fat was several inches thick upon the brisket. 
This was the commencement, and I could not help 
reflecting upon the absurdity of the situation. I had 
come a great distance to shoot, but the circumstances 
rendered indiscriminate shooting impossible to any 
person who was experienced in fair game. If there 
