The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-06-24
SHOOTING HIS FIRST DEER.
His Sensations Before and After He Fired
the Shot.

II remember my first DEER" he said
to a n. Y. Tribune man. Il was in
northern California, and was crazy to
get a shot at one. There were five of
us in camp besides the guide, and we
were all enthusiastic, save one who
had killed his share of deer in his life
time. l remember seeing the guide
one afternoon at work with hammer
and nails on a sawhorse. Afterward l
saw him examining deerskin which
hung on the wall. The next day we
were lying around smoking, when
Jake, the guide, came running into
camp. He was breathless, and cried
out between his gasps: Get your
rifles; there's deer grazing over on
the other side of the ravine up there ,
There was wild excitement in the
camp. We all seized our guns and
ammunition and started after Jake on
the run.
''Will, the cynic, was missing, and
I thought with grim delight of his dis
gust when we should come back to
camp in triumph bearing our trophy.
The guide led us a terribly hot race,
and then as we approached the rise
over the ravine he turned and placed
his fingers on his lips.
"'S-s-shr he said; we may come up
on him at any minute
II was in a tremble. but l was de-
termined to have the first shot.
Jake led us carefully along until
we came opposite a clearing on the
other side of the ravine. Suddenly he
stopped and grabbed my arm. There
he was. l could see him browsing be-
hind some brush and my knees grew
weak. We got down on our hands
and knees and crawled carefully along.
Then came the time to fire.
".All take aim, said Jake. and I'll
count three and ''lire." =" Our three
| rifles were at our shoulders, and Jake
| could not find the trigger of my gun.
had deer ague. l heard him count
out in low voice. One, two,' and my
muscles were paralyzed-' three, and
| fire!' There were three shots, but
stood like a fool shaking with my
weakness.
"Quickr cried Jake, before he
| jumps! Now's your chance! They've
| missed himr
..At the instant that the others fired
I found the trigger, and at Jake's
word l pulled it. 1 saw the deel
quiver for moment and then sink tc
the earth.
"I got HIM! cried, in burst o
joy.
"No. 1 got him. cried the othel
three"
'''f tell you you missed himr I cried
and dropping my gun l went leapins
down the side of the ravine, the other!
in hot pursuit. There was a patch o
briers at the bottom, but l rushed
wildly through them, tearing my
hands and face and yelling like crazy
man that had shot the deer We haC
lively race of it. l jumped into th
creek and half splashed and half swan
through it. clambering up the banl
and running for my deer. my clothe
dripping and my heart humping lik
trip-hammer. When l reached m,
deer my companions were close behint
me, and then l stopped short. Will
the cynic, was lying on his back il
convulsions of laughter, the strin;
still in his hand with which he ha
pulled our noble game to earth whel
we fired. Jake had made deer t
order with the sawhorse and skin, an
Will and he had set it up across tn
ravine. l was so white with rage an
modification that 1 could not speak
while Will continued to roar wit
laughter.
''Who shot it?' he cried, and at tha
1 turned back to camp. That expe
rience so disgusted me that l hav
never since gone deer-shooting."