The Benton record. [volume] (Benton, M.T. [Mont.]) 1875-1879, 1878-05-17

once tldt Jaef6 was more meat Gloss al
hand
Here was chance to steal march
upon the rest of the boys. They were
all gathered around the carcas ot
the dead animal, and were too fal
off to notice my movements, or hear
my exclamation Of surprise on
discovering the trail. The latter was SO
well defined, had no difficulty in tracing
it mile or more, although the brush was
thick in places and the trees. grew SO close
together that it seemed impossible the elk
could have passed between them.
| I at length came to a beautiful park,
covered with rich carpet of dark green
grass, through which a clear mountain
stream rippled and flashed in the sun
light and sent forth soft musical sound
upon the still morning air. The grass was
nearly waist high, and a narrow path
leading directly towards the stream Wis
ably marked the trail of the game.
I was about to follow this plainly defn-
ed course or the herd, when my attention
was attracted to huge boulder, which
stood near the edge of the park and not
more than one hundred yards to the left
of the path. The stone was more than
half screened by the grass, and the sun
threw such peculiar shadows over it that
was unable at first to make out what had
caused me to look so suddenly towards it.
After my eyes had become more accustom-
ed to the dazzling sunlight, [ discovered
the boulder possessed most remarkable
outline. Indeed [ could compare the
shape to nothing but that of huge turtle.
The body was certainly not unlike that Of
turtle, but had never seen a turtle or
any other living creature with head SO
peculiar.
The mystery was soon dispelled, for be
fore I had time to make up my mind
whether the whole thing was only
an optical Illusion, the head moved slow
ly forward, disclosing first a beautiful pair
Of branching horns, then the neck and
finally the whole body of a monster elk ap-
peared. The animal had been standing
behind TIE boulder, Will only pal5 0r Il Is
head visable, and the shadows caused by
the sun had made the strange appear
! ancn above described.
4 more beautiful animal never gladden.
ed the eyes of hungry hunter. He had not
yet discovered me, and was moving leis-
urely forward, glancing carelessly around
as if admiring the fine scenery of the park.
His glossy hide reflected the rays of the sun
like polished mahogany, his huge antlers
lowered above his graceful head and neck
like the branches Of leafess tree, and his
delicately shaped limbs seemed hardly to
touch the surface ofthe ground as he step
ped with the stately tread Of a king.
It was a pity to kill the handsome fel-
low, but my only anxiety at the time was
that should not be able to kill him, be
!, having taken me 50 by surprise that ]
stood watching him for several seconds
without cooking or raising my rife, and
before I.eould do either he had increased
the distance between US some fifty yards
Z Iatlength raised my gun, and, after q
careful aim. pulled the trigger.
Atthe sound Of my gun the elk wheeled
round, faced the boulder, and stood per
fectly still, but beyond this motion gave
no evidence Of being disturbed.
Very much disappointed, but heartily
glad that none Of the boys had seen the
miss, reloaded as rapidly as possible
and taking still more careful aim fred
again.
When the smoke cleared away I saw
the elk standing in his old position, ap-
parently uninjured and looking towards
me as if surprised at my bad markstnan-
ship.
| was mad now. had always consid-
cred myself good shot, but to fail in hit
ting the elk was like missing the side Of 4
barn, for the animal was pot one hundred
and fifty yards from. me and was presenting
| bis whole side to me for target.
| Iloaded again, brought tie gun nearly te
dead rest and pulled the trigger. When
the smoke again lifted, the elk was gone
N Tie the elk had suddenly tafned into q
Nez Peree Indian and come formy scalp
II / could not have been more astonished.
looked ,at the gun, ran the ramrod down
the barrel and examined the lock, but
found everything in good working order
Before ! had time to think further upon
the subject, however, I heard tie sound
Of voices in the woods and 500 after | was
joined BY my companions who had also
struck the elk trail and were following j
up.
"HeIlo shouted Geo. Gfigsbg, aWha
are you shooting at r.
stAI .4 q 49,. J, i !. ..,ssI, III ranI1n4