The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-06-30

surveying the whole expanse Of prairie
seemingly in doubt whether 10 continue
their course, or to make for the inviting
thicket at their ieet. At length y hugs
veteran. whose heavy branching an,lers
gave an air Of Importance to his movements,
walked few stems from the top Of the hill
one followed then another-and another
From walk their pace quickened TO trOt
aud in . few moments the whole herd poured
down towards the spot where the hunters
were standing. There was. however. z
suspicion Of lurking danger in the actions
Of the leader; for, ~ he bounded swiftly
forward, his ears were pricksd up; his
head, high in the air, moved from side Ia
side rs il in momentary fear OF some hidden
foe. The rest, relying wholly upon his
guidance, followed irolicking and gamboling.
They passed along the border Of the woods,
and came Close upon the two men. From
the moment that they had left the hill a
new flame had kiudled in the eye Of Her.
rick. His fingers wandered round the trig.
ger Of his gun, and then were jerked away,
Us il restrained by the consciousness that
danger might ensue. Still, as they ap-
preached, his estlessnsss increased.
IL dare not fire. Yet how easily might
drop that lesder!' said he, raising bis rifle
to his cheek, and taking sight along ts
barrel. lie is very near might make
sure Of him. There ! have him now
exactly behind the left shoulder. Norton,
shall pulli
"No, no! ] tell you no Should there
be any Indians about, your rifle crack would
be sure TO call them. Have you forgotten
the foot mark, Ts warning that should
not be disregarded. Our lives are worth
more than dead elk
This answer seemed 10 carry conviction
with il. With sigh. which showed how
great was the sacrifice, Herrick dropped
the butt OF his rife heavily upon the ground.
The animals still advanced. but not NJ be-
fore. A feeling OF insecurity had spread
throughout the troop; every nostrl was
expanded TO the breeze, every eye on tho
watch, and every ear open 70 drink in the
least sound oi danger. Herrick again lifted
his rife lie grasped its barrel with his left
hand, and his finger again strained around
the trigger. Slowly, and almost uncon
sciOusly, he raised il to his cheek, and
brought the muzxle TO bear upon the leader.
Morton, did you ever see such antlers!
lie 10 not ten yards off, do not think
there can he much danger"
His voice, though suppressed, reached
the ear Of the already startled beast In.
stantly his nose was raised higher, and his
eye rested upon the spot from whence the
sound proceeded.
There there! Norton, he sees us =. BY
Heaven be is turning away we have no
provisions-w shall starve to- morrow. He
il starting
Crack The sharp report Of the rifle rang
through the woods. The singing Of the bul
lie, was heard and the noble beast fell for.
ward on his knees. The effect upon the rest
Of the herd was electrical. At first they
crowded round the wounded leader, snor,ing
loudly then apparently comprehepding his
fate, they secured of over the bills. The
deserted beast spraDg up, and rushed mad y
forward in the direction they had taken
the leaps grew less and less one more
bound, be landed on his feet-his legs tot
tered--they yielded under him, and he fell
10 the edge Of the thicket, with the death
quver running through bis limbs.
Hurrsh there's elk meat for you"
shouted Hsrrick, drawing his dirk.
He thrust the bushes spart with the
breecb Of his rifle, bounded through them,
sprang over the dead logs. and in a moment
reached the spot where the beast lay.
Twas the act Of fool !" mntterred
Norton, as he slowly prepared to follow.
" Yet the temptation was strong, and there's
hot blood III that young frame. Perhaps,
had they stopped much longer, |, too, should
have done the ssme"
Thus, half musIngly, half speaking. he
slowly advanced to the edge Of the thlcket
Here be- paused aud keenly surveyed the
prairie before veDturing from the woods.
Nothing was 10 be seen, and be va. in the
act Of stepping out, when his ear was arrest
vi by q sbarp sound. - Of u dead twig
breaking beneath the tread Of AT animal
As qaick as thought be crouched, and
peeped through the bushes, scanning with a
sharp eye every shrub aid every tree trunk
around bin. Hs fear bad awakened, and
the eckleesDess Of hs young companion. 10
dIschsrgIug hl- rife, had increased bis watch
'slDezs. Everything. however, was quIe,
and he was preparing 10 rise from HE con.
osalmett, when his attention was arrested
By an unusual qaiv.rin2 Of the leaves Of
small Dusa at a short distance. overgr0vn
with Wild Esa-viDs. lie drew closer 10 hs
hiding place. Presently the bush .hO,k
violently the dark painted bead Oi an 10
dian, completely armed, emerged 10 v,ss.
W Ith sDaks-lIke silence he stole from tree
70 tree, slowly Winning hs way towards iigf
riek. Bu; tlonzb b. moved with all tue
lnstnctive craft q his peopbe, hs ~as uBder
tie sye Of o0s whom many year. ,ysut 70
tls.~ wlids hsd reodervi fully hi. eqgal.
Inch by lEch BE- Eoysd -lbs hunter d.d ihs
sam " WBeneyer be pa-.ed sbd lcoksi
aroand Nor,oG eroachsd u The eartt--Apd
again s ~ crepi cautiously Inward tbs
white followed sOns tins had ben cor-