The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1893-03-23

me, and his nose occasionally sought
the moss, only to be raised in mo-
ment and thrust into the wind while
the gentleman chewed a mouthful.
About halfway between us was a
goodly clump of brush, overgrowing
some scattered powders, while the
space between my shelter and the
brush was filed with little hummocks
and hollows showing where the low
growth, moss, ETC., upheld the snow.
If once gained the brush and nerves
kept steady he should drop in hrs
tracks. hesitated for momenr be-
tween waiting for broadside shot
from where I was, or attempting to
crawl to the brush, then got down on
hands and knees and began the diff
cult journey. The hummocks we're
smaller and follower when reached
than they looked at first, and when
halfway across the dangerous space it
became a question of wriggling along
la serpent. In this position the
caribou was invisible, but had faith
in the wind, and was wriggling logged
ly forward when from a clump of moss
not twenty feet from my nose grouse
walked quietly forth clucking softly to
itself in regard to my probable busi-
ness.
Here was pretty position. OF course
didn't dare flush the grouse for fear
of alarming the caribou, and for long,
agonizing moments lay there in the
snow staring at that internal bird.
while it eyed me DIRE eamily and chuckled
in an exasperatingly commiserating
fashion, until the cramp-knot in my
leg grew hard as a base ball, and I
fumed and ragged and groaned inward
ly. At last the fool bird satisfied it's
curiosity and trotted demurely away,
and when it had got to safe distance
I Strengthened my cramp and wriggled
on to the tuft whence the grouse had
come. Inch by inch raised my head
until clear view was possible Of the
bulls feeding-ground-he had vanished
as though the earth had swallowed
himl Hastily glancing up the barren,
l caught sight of him walking smartly
along good four hundred yards away.
He was not alarmed; he had neither
heard, seen nor winded me. He had
merely decided to move along.
But chance favored me in the next
move. The caribou, after going half
mile, suddenly turned across the barren
and headed for the tim Der on the far
ther side, at the same time edging
slightly in my direction. This course
kept him we'll to windward, and when
he finally approached the distant cover
1 started for him again. 1t was a long.
hard task to cross the barren in a
crouching position, but finally man
aged to get behind him safely and fol-
lowed the track. was now very tired,
for the shoeing was heavy, but the
chase was leading homcward. I was
mad all through and game to fight it
out on that line till darkness came
Presently it began to snow and in half
an hour the air was thick with soft
falling flakes. This was in my favor.
save that sometimes lost sight of the
bull, only to rediscover him walking
steadily along headed direct for tho
camp My only hope was that he might
halt to Feed. He was going about as
fast as I could, and so for two good
hours we reelsd off the miles at an ex-
ercising gait At last the snow almost
ceased, but the air was darkening fast,
and l guessed we must be within .
short distance of camp
While l was endeavoring to figure
out my exact whereabouts the bull
halted in an open space, bordered on
my side by clumps of good cover, and
began to feed Ny WEAKNESS was for
gotten in a moment; luck had turned
my way at last, for he was in perhaps
the best position for me that he could
have chosen in the whole barren.
Sneaking rapidly on as far as was safe,
l once again doffed shoes and got down
on hands and knees and crawled, and
crawled, and crawled, until the cover
was gained, and my victim stood
broadside on, not eighty yards away.
He was feeding busily and had no more
idea that l was near than ! had of
shouting Carefully l raised to my
knees and waited one moment to pull
myself thoroughly together for the shot
that must needs decide the matter. A
last glance at the distance, and at the
sight to make certain that 1t was at the
lowest notch and l thought to myself:
Now, my son. surmise I'll just set
tie for all this tramp If ! don't drop
YOU"
"Whang!' the roar of rife sounded
from clump to my left, a stream of
fiery smoke shot from the brush, the
bull gave tremendous lunge forward
and went down in a heap
For an instant | was petrified with
amazement; then leaped to my feet
prepared to do l hardly knew what
From the brush near by rose lanls
figure, coppery face peered forth,
and an unmistakable voice muttered:
Cess l down um car'boor
$40! You blank, smoke tanned
idiot, I've a blamed good notion to put
a ball through you!"
DO started with as much surprise as
his kind ever show; then his broad
mouth spread in a diabolical grin, for
he guessed every incident of the story.