The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1902-07-31

then pushed steadily up the mountain
toward the summit. Just at the very
brow was a continuous grassy biun
over which any animal seeking the up
per shelter must pass; and on this l
threw myself down. ! had no breath,
and could not nave aimed my ride
to save my life, so devoted my whole
strength and attention for few mo-
ments to regalning some steadiness OF
respiration. In the valley way below
three tiny spots of bun, the deer family
had intercepted, were crossing
through the grass to a wide bed of
willows that marked the filled-in site
of an old beaver dam. Down at camp
everything was still, and the absence
OF smoke told that the sleeper was still
dormant. The raven cawed impa.
tiently.
became suddenly conscious that
there was a deer in the trees on to the
right and a little below the. How long
he had been there do not know, but
| am certain that my eye had rested
on the spot and Its surroundings a mo-
ment before and saw nothing. l slipped
down off the grass and into the trees
aud worked very cautiously in that
direction. A shot downhill is so de-
ceptive that hitting is pure luck, and
sought place on the same level.
A stately buck he was, stopping for
final lunch on the tender, shoots OF a
clump of vetch vines on the edge of
the stream. His black nostrils were
wet and shone with the high polish Of
new patent leather. His form was well
rounded, his coat was smooth and
glossy, and his spreading antlers full
grown. In the motions Of his eating,
every muscle moved and quivered. The
sight was so superb that 1t almost pre-
cluded murder, and l sat with ride
half raised and watched for fully
minute. His nosuils caught a breath
of hostile odor, and he flung his head
high, poised for flight, but not quite
sure which way the danger lay. He
remembered the alarm downhill and
turned to look that way. The white
bead of the front sight rested against
his curving neck. just back of the head,
and the white bead rested in turn on
the lower rim Of the circle Of the hind
peep-sight The sight was perfect
and the finger crooked against the
trigger almost without conscious volt.
ton.
A 1910 bullet In the cervical verte
brae snuffs out all power Of motion as
though 1t were the flame OF a candle
There was never a struggle, Just
sudden collapse, and the beautiful ami
NAL lay in limp confusion sprinkling
blood upon the verdure where he had
jugt been feeding. The hunters work
was done and what remained was mere
butchery. The rough surgery Of the
hunting knife must let out the blood
in foaming torrent before the heart
ceases beating, and with the same flow
release the remnant OF life which still
showed dimly in staring eyes. Then
must follow the smeary task Of dress.
ing the carcass, which had been a deer
and was now veniscn. The raven few
from his, perch and hgushed through
the trees above. 1t seemed as though
the sound of the shot had summoned
all the smaller pedatory birds, the mag
pies and gray-iays, and could hear
their harsh cries approaching through
the trees, as they fiuttered closer aud
closer In short flights. Before my
CORY task was done they were busy,
without fear for me, picking the dainty
hecks Of suet from the entralls, while
two or three other ravens had Joined
the pioneer and were scolding from
the tops of the trees because was SO
slow in completing my work and leav.
ing them a clear field. hung the
yenison in tree, protecting the ex-
posed meat with boughs, and washed
hands and arms In the waters Of the
rill. Then / struck out for camp. I'M
der the tall grass red-leayed plants
Rugged the ground. Drops OF dew had
fallen on some Of them, making the
homeward path seem through a trail
of fresh blood. The sun shone down
ON the valley hot and ungentle. II
seemed as though the whlrring grass
hoppers- unduly extended their flights
to escape my presence. A startled
grouse, breakfastng in a bear-bery
bush, instead of rising to the nearest
tree, whirred away clear across to the
foot OF the mountain, where it tapped
deep into tree as though murder was
behind 1t. As l came up into camp
the horses scented the blood and snort.
ed as II were some strange wild ami.
NAL and moved uneasIly on their pick.
et-ropes.
She had Just awakened and was
looking with sleepy eyes out into the