Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-02-15
DEER EXPERIENCE.


Hunting STORY whose Truth II Nourhsd
For by the Reiator.
Harry Moore, Of the Boston grain
trade, has Just been down To Maine,
though he did not go deer hunting. as
he will do later; for the forests we're too
full Of falling leaves. But he did get
hold of good deer story, and all the
better from having happened this sea-
son. Harry vouches for the truth of
this deer story. and brings the names ~
reputable hunters in Maine 10 prove 10.
MIR. Harding, a very respectable busi-
ness man OF Bangor, told the story tho
other evening as they sat by the nre-
side. The evening was chilly and the
birch backlogs lent a cheerful blaze.
Harding had been hunting only tho day
before. With friend he had tried the
deer grounds OF Gouldsboro They had
hunted nearly all day without sign OF
deer, other than the tracks. and were
about discouraged. AT last they came
to brook. and beyond the brook a deer.
Here Hariings friend and guide was
sure that they ought TO sight deer
and very cauti ously they passed tho
brook. There were fresh tracks that
led up the hill. Harding took one sat
OF very large tracks and his 4isnd
another Cautiously he followed up
the hill till he got where he dared
to peep over. He lay fat on his
stomach and took look. The frst
sight was disappointing. There were
cattle browsing the land was partially
cleared. But about one hundred yards
beyond the cattle. though some of the
COWS had bells on. there was beautiful
buck. He stood head on; his quick ear
o. scent had detected the presence OF q
more dangerous enemy than the COWS
with bells on. Harding had nothing but
muzzle-loading rifle, but ono with
which he had done some fine work. He
was man OF quick thought and of quick
action. He glanced along the barrel
In his crawling over tbs hill he had
broken of the forward sight OF his rife,
but the magnificent deer stood there,
head erect and just ready to jump.
Harding was bound 10 shoot, and hs
pointed the rife as best he could. The
report startled the cows into q run, but
. the buck fell as stif rs log. Harding
shouted to his friend and ran to cut the
deer's throat with his hunting knife. He
came up 10 where the animal had fallen.
but he was gathering up and was nearly
erect, though rather dixzily, aud was
beginning 10 get away This would
never do. Harding was as quick of &C.
tion as OF thought and he made grab
for the buck and just succeeded in get-
ting a good hold OF tho short tail OF she
beast. Here he hung on for dear life
AAa A..aN 4 L.. 4.
gan to bound away. The ground was
covered with hummocks and logs, but
Harding hung on. Here he paused In
his story.
Harry, did you ever. when you wera
hoy, try to hang on to tho tailboard Of
a wagon. with the driver whipping up
his horses in order TO shake you Off,
"Yes, have.
We'll, you know just how that deer
was malang my legs hum. only could
not let go as easily AS yon could lot 60
OF the wagon on the smooth road. and 4
would not do to lot go, for wanted thA
buck. All ut once he stumbled over enc
Of those hummoeks and fell 10 his knees
His prongs plowed the next hummock
and stuck fast. lie was my buck and he
was down, and jumped for his throat.
calling 10 my friend. The buck kicked
as only a deer can kick with those
mighty long legs OF his. | tried 10 APP
proanh his head. but with welldiraoted
stroke OF his hind leg he ripped my vest,
shirt, pants and drawers from my throat
down almost to my feet and came near
cutting my head off with his sharp
hoofs. Then my friend came up and
helped me dispatch the deer. Afterward
he dryly remarked that his flrst thought
was that | was about 20 retire-frop the
conflict was so well unbuttoned.~
Now, Harry, where do yop suppose
that buck was hit? The bullet had inst
grazed his backbone lengthwise and for
the moment paralyzed htm. r-Forass and
Stream.