The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-06-14

great creature tossing MS auucioe
head and struggling blindly among the
torn lily-psds and the tangle of tiei1
long 1.-the stems-once trying to rise
but sinking down again with sigh
ing groan, and after few more con-
y.lsive struggles lying still.
II was all over in a mement. We
found afterwards that some Of the
buck shot had entered the brain. 1t
was an easy ending of his innocent
life ; and he did not feel the.keen knife
of the guide which let out his warm
blood to crimson the bruised and
trembling lily-buds-lhose buds that
would be SO loath to open in the morn
ing with those strange stains upon
them.
We wasted ne sentiment on them at
that time. however. We were exult-
ant; and 1 was bouDdlessly happy
over Halls good conduct and success.
He was really quieter under the joy
of the moment than 1. His first shot
and SO admirably made! AS good
fortune must have it, instead of doe,
or some inexperienced young buck
with budding horns, his trophy was a
''stag of nine," and, for the month, in
excellent condition.
When VIC learned this, L instantly be-
came younger than Hal by some years.
clapped him on the back until he stag
gered. and cried, Good for yOu, old
fellow!" and swung my hat round
my head, and shouted so that the looms
woke up and screamed again. 1t was
all very boyish apd foolish but 1t was
the last time. With sad sort of smile
at myself, remember now that :" it
did me good'' from crown to toe.
And then it drew Harry closer to
me. as knew at once, for while the
guide was busy with the buck he came
and put his arm aifectionately over
my shoulder.
"After all it was not much to shoot
that poor fellow" he said "but any,
way, Nunc, it's no bad thing to have
! the venison, is ?'
The little bay where we had found
our prize was three or four miles from
the camp. 1t was now past midnight.
AS soon, therefore, as Creme had
made the deer ready we slowed it.,
carefully balanced in the stern of the
skif-its antlered head hanging almost
to the water-and with light hearts
took our seats. Creme had the oars,
sat in the bow, and. Hal lounged
against the buck, facing US. And SO,
with the wine of success in our veins,
we started out to find the campfire.
Harry was now in high spirits. The
waning moon rose above the opposite
hills just as we reached the body OF
the lake, and shone-a little dimmed
by the mist-full on his handsome
face. With almost fathers affection
and pride my heart went out to him.
He was so frank, ,and brigham clear
thoughted, and physically perfect.
There was something even womanly
at the moment in the admiration and
yearning that he awakened in me.
After little-to give vent, I sup
pose, to the pleasant excitement which
made it hard for him to sit stlll-he
took up the paddle and began to dig
for speed in the laughing waters, now
on one side of the boat, and now on
the other-not giving much help,prob-
ably, to the indulgent guide. But it
served, with bursts Of college songs,
to work off his superauous life.
How thoroughly happy we were!
1t was one of the perfect hours. We
both felt, think, that life must al
ways go we'll with us-that such hap
piness was too good thing not to
last.
We were probably not more than
halfway to the camp when Harry,tir-
ed of his violent exercise, shook his
paddle and laid it down in the boat. 1
tossed to him shawl over Greme's
head but he put it aside, and leaned
back to rest himself against the bucks
launches. Just then his eye happen
ed to fall on his gun, and he saw that
the muzzles were little in front of
him. That is against hunters rules.
Creme had cautioned US about it when
we were pushing off.
1t was all done in one thoughtless
second.
Before we knew what he was in
tending, Harry stopped and pulled his
gun little toward himself. TIE ham
mer caught on one of the thwarts.
With the flash, and that horrible up
roar again, came a scream Of pain and
terror.
"Harry! Harry! are you hurt
Harry!'
had sprung to my feet and was
tumbling toward him i'm the rocking
boat.
Creme had dropped his oars-and
we were instantly at his side. He
was tearing at his clothes to get at the
wound. He was bleeding terribly. l
pushed the deer overheard, and we
laid him back with the shawl under
his head. He was deathly pale. lie
pressed his lips hard together, sum-
moning his fortitude to meet the pain,
aud though we were trembling and
bewildered, he did not lose courage
for moment. The danger, the need
Of instant action, reused and concen-
trated his mind
"rhat rope!" he cried, nodding to-
ward it. snake tourniquet."
caught it up, stung with self.reproach
| that had not thought of it myself.
And when l had made compress Of
our handkerchief and had tied the
rope loosely round his loins, and was
looking hurriedly about for something
to twist it up-"Be quick!" he said