The Portland daily press., 1897-12-24


toward them. There was snort and
stamp from the big bull guarding the
herd, and the next instant every animal
was on his feet, facing US thank Godl
The next moment they were in close
line, with lowered heads and horns,
could have yelled for joy if had had the
breath tokspare.
Every one of us has read THRILLING
stories Of deer chased by hungry wolves
and 1T Is in the nature of man to symna
thize with the creatures that are trying
to escape. But did any of US ever stou to
think how those other poor Creatures the
wolves, were feeling2 | know now lust
what their feelings are, and | cannot
help sympathizipg with them l was no
better than wolf myself at that moment.
We were within less than fifty wards of
the herd when the. big bull with a quick
motion lowered his horns still more. In
sGlnct, Providenoe-call it what you will
-tolusme 1t was the signal for the herd
TO charge. Without slackening my pace,
pulled my Winchester to my shoulder
and sent o bullet at the back of his neck
oyerAthe white, mpervious shield of the
great horns.
With. that singing bullet. [ felt that /
was strong enough and hungry enongh,
ana WIG enough so that, had the pun
peen alone, could have sprung upon him
Darenandedsand some how made meat OF
him. But against sthe entire herd we
should have been powerles5. Once the
DlacK avalanche had gained momentum,
we should have been sorushed by 1t like
the crunohing snow crystals under our
feet.
AS the bull fell upon his knees the herd
waverPd. A cow half turned, and, as
MATHS rifle cracked fell with bullet
back OF her foreshoulder. Without rails
Ing my rifle above my hips another one
dropped. Then another Tor Matt; then
the herd broke, and we hurried IN pur-
suit. wounded cow wheeled and, with
loweredghead, was about to charge me;
again MATHS rifle cracked and she fell.
AS I rushed past her he shouted 'That
was nv last oartridge!' A short dis
tance beyond the remainder of the herd
faced about again and put d bullet into
the.breast of another bull, but it did not
stop him, and the herd broke again and
disappeared over o sharp ridge. had
neither wind nor strength to follow.
Suddenly the back of one of the animals
appeared aboveSthe ridge. / whirled and
fred. | did not seb the sights-I think
scarcely saw my rifle. but felt my aim as
would with harpoon or stone. heard
the thud of the bullet. knew the beast
was hit behind the fore shoulder. AS the
animal disappeared I sank down on the
But after little rest was able to
move. Matt came mp. We instantly set
about bleeding the last beast had killed.
How delicious that tender, raw, warm
meat was-a mouthful here and @ mouth
full there cut from the animal as we
skinned it! 1t seems dreadful and loath-
some to have made such u meal. But i
wish those who stay at home at ease to
realize what hunger drives men to. This
was the barbarism out of which our race
has risen. Matt and were savages for
the time. ] ate till dared eat no more,
although still unsatisfled.
Then Matt went back to bring up the
dogs and sledge, while began removing
the skins from our game. With Matt's
return came the supremest luxury of all.
That was to.toss great Jumps OF the meat
20 the gaunt shadows which we called
dogs, till they, too, could eat no more and
lay gorged and quiet upon the rocks.
The removal of the great shaggy, black
pelts of the musk oxen was neither an
easy nor rapid job. By the time it was
completed it was midnight, the sun was
low over the mountains in the north, and
81 biting wind whistled about our airy
location.
We were glad to drag the skins to
central place, construct o wind guards
with the assistance of the sledge, few
stones, and couple of the skins, an d
make bed Of the others on the lee sid 6
of it.
We built up a little stone shelter for
our cooking lamp, and then, stretched
upon our luxurious, thick, soft, warm
couch, we were. for the first time, able to
spare the time TO make ourselves some tea
and cook some of the delicious musk OK
meat.
Then, with the savage, sombre northern
land " ing like man below us-the bar
zJ-- 1--l 49,
eternal snow drifts, with the su mmits of
the distant mountains disappearing in a
mist OF driving snow; with the biting
breath of the ''GgeaG Ice'' following us
even here and drifting the fine snow over
and about our shelter, we slept again as
tired children-nay, as tired savages--
leep.