XXVI 
THE SPOTTED DEER 
349 
keep them in good view. I saw Killbuck reach the 
flank, but before he had time to make a spring, the 
stag threw his head upon one side, and backward, so 
as to strike the dog with the extreme points of his 
sharp antlers. A short time after, the stag came to 
bay upon firm open ground, and fought the dog face 
to face. I saw Killbuck rush straight at the deers 
face, and instead of receiving the attack passively, 
the deer quickly lowered his head, and not only met 
but charged the dog, rolling him over, and following 
him up as he drove his sharp tines deep into his 
body. The instant I arrived, the deer would have 
charged the horse, but Killbuck, who had recovered 
his feet, lost not a moment, and seizing the ear, the 
stag was in his hold. In a moment I jumped off, 
and drove the knife into its heart, killing it upon the 
spot. 
The dog was dreadfully exhausted, and lay 
panting upon the ground. There were two or three 
small holes in his chest, which did not bleed. My 
people came up, and finding water in a stream, we 
fetched some in my helmet to bathe him. This 
seemed to revive him, and he was placed in couples 
with the bitch, who had come to the call, having 
been also wounded by her stag. In a few moments 
the dog fell to the ground, gave a few gasps, and 
died. 
An examination showed that the horns had passed 
in two places through the lungs ; but in spite of the 
mortal wounds, he had seized and held the stag. 
My experience in hunting the axis proved that 
