The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-01-23

about this for some time but without q
chance for a shot, and was about TO
give up and turn homewards, when
cracking branch at some little distance
attracted his attention. And his very
heart stood still as through an open.
ing in the bushes he caught sight OF
the hairy hide of some large animal.
"Cowp no it can't be cow-its too
brown. And it amt horse neither"
he held his breath as he drew eau
tiously nearer, and-then, only hunt
er can imagine the sensations with
which he beheld noble buck lifting its
proud head with its white antlers with
IN fair range of his gun. Quick as
thought Jack fired and it fell.
In whirl Of surprise and delight at
this bis first deer, the boy leaped from
his horse and drawing his knife, ran
and set his foot on the antlers to cut its
throat. But like flash of lightning
the deer sprang to its feet, knocking
down the knife. Jack grasped him by
one of his horns, whereupon he made
desperate lunges to get away, while
Jack hung on with all his strength. At
length, thoroughly enraged, the buck
turned upon his enemy, trying to force
him under his feet. Failing in this he
reared and struck at Jack with his fore
feet, his sharp hoofs tearing his clothes
to rags and inficting some scratches
upon his chest and arms.
With strength lent by desperation
Jack tried to work his way towards
tree which stood near, still holding ON
to the horn for his life. Presently he
let go and darted towards it, The deer
followed in hot pursuit, striking at him
with his antlers from which he received
several ugly wounds, the tree being too
small to afford him much protection as
he lodged around it.
Bones, siccem! Here good dog
siccem! siccemr Bones had never
been noted for courage, but was stimu-
lated by Jacks cries to make an attack
upon the heels of the deer, who quickly
turned upon this new foe, when Bones
dropped his tail between his legs and
beat an inglorious retreat Jack had
| tried to improve the interval by rushing
for his gun, but had barely grasped it
when the buck again jumped towards
him. He swung himself into the small
tree where his antagonist stood guard,
while Jack tried to load his gun.
"No-bullets!" His pouch had been
torn off and lay far beyond reach. AS
blow after blow from the horns of the
infuriated animal shook the slender
branches which supported him, the
poor boy began to wonder if death was
really waiting for him in these lonely
thickets-if this maddened creature,
far more powerful and fleet of limb
than himself, were fated to beat out his
life here where no help could come in
answer to his call. And his mother!
In fancy he could see her anxious face
looking out for him, and the thought
that she would surely be sending up
many an earnest prayer for his safety
nerved him with determination! He
tore button from his coat, which he
rammed down hard upon charge of
powder, and fired. 1t had no effect
upon the deer bnt to render him
angrier than ever, but the button hap
pened to Craze the skin of old Racka-
back, who, with toss of his head and
| du aSJOuloucu cuulUi obdItCu AOluCh uLu
on full run.
There's only one chance for me
that can see. Now, for mother and
the little ones!' With heavy charge
of powder he loaded the gun with his
ramrod and again fired at the deer,
aiming just behind the shoulder.
The buck dropped to his knees but
at once bounded up and again attacked
the tree, then walked away and disap-
peared among the bushes.
Jack jumped down and ran with all
his might in the direction of Farmer
Shows. Darkness was coming on, he
lost his way more than once, and it
was late at night when, exhausted with
cold, hunger and fatigue, he almost
fell upon the doorstep.
"Jest like YEP said the farmer, as
with his wife he gave kindly attention
to Jacks needs and then listened to
his story. "Jest like chap as would
cross that ere runnin' ice to go for to
tackle a buck afore he knowed
whether twas dead, or alive and ugly.
AsCful ugly them fellers is when they re
hit. Now look-a-here," he laid his
hand on Jacks shoulder. "Me and
you'll go tomorrow and bring that ere
buck home"
Il don't know whether he's dead
said Jack. "And anyway I've got to
get back over the river somehow with
this medicine and let mother know
hav'n't been killed forty times. >
Farmer Snow laughed.
That's right; but I'll send boy
over the river-ice is runnin' Stacker
to-night-and me and you'll 60"
He was as much of boy as Jack, a
| the two mounted the next morning ant
rode to the scene of the hard-fough
battle. They followed the trail of tn,
deer for quarter of mile and fount
| the magnificent animal lying dead in
} pool of blood.
Here's the ball that first knocked
3 him down-struck him just behind
t horn," said Jack.
"And, hoorayr' said the farmer
I turning over the heavy carcass, ''if her
: amt your ramrod-shot in behind tn
I shoulder! He bled to death. I'd
. | OiVen a hundrad dollars To a seen Won