XXIV 
THE WAPITI 
265 
width, while a natural fosse like a letter V, about 
300 feet deep, lay before me; the opposite side 
continuing the steep slope to the summit of the 
mountain. 
There was an extraordinary scene around me. 
A great mass of wapiti had burst from the jungle 
upon hearing the report of my rifle, and there was 
no room for them to stand upon the narrow area 
of the hog’s back ridge. There were about 300 
stags, hinds, and young ones of all ages mingled 
together, some of them being within 10 or 15 
yards of me. They were determined to go forward, 
to effect which they were obliged to attempt the 
precipitous descent into the narrow bottom of the 
canyon, after which it would be necessary to ascend 
the opposite side. 
This cleft was so abrupt that, although quite 300 
feet in depth, it was not wider than 60 or 80 yards 
across the surface where I stood. I never witnessed 
a sight of such utter helplessness. It required great 
caution to descend, even for such practised moun¬ 
taineers as wapiti. The herd shuffled down the 
precipitous incline of crumbling stones, causing 
showers of loosened rocks, which clattered with 
their struggling hoofs, as slowly and surely these 
heavy animals progressed into the dangerous bottom. 
I sat upon a large stone that was close to the 
edge, and thoroughly enjoyed the scene. If I 
had been inclined to commit havoc, I cannot say 
how many I could have shot. As they slowly 
descended, I took aim at the back of each stag’s 
