The Teton peak-chronicle., 1905-01-12


which in turn was suddenly inter
rupted, for, on knoll, about 300
yards away, we saw two fine bulls
all by themselves. To dismount
and take aim with my Mauser after
gauging the distance, was matter
of few seconds. The furthest Of
the two bulls was a stately mon
arch, and he had a set of antlers
which tempted me as much as a
crown could have tempted Caesar.
The first shot fortunately took effect
behind the shoulders aud made him
sag on his knees, but he Immediate
ly recovered and started to run.
The next shot was over him and,
before l could fire again, the other
bull ran in between and blanketed
him, receiving the ball.. They
both then stood still several seconds,
while two more messengers of death
sang doleful dirge on their errand
of obstruction, and then they both
disappeared over the hill.
The atmosphere in that country
is naturally very blue; but there
was tinge of blueness in the air
at that time which I am sure was
not natural. Sheffield said he was
not the cause of it, and know that
was not to blame. I have heard
of somebody swearing until the air
became blue, but this does not seem
to be one of those cases.
However, we were both convinc-
ed that the first bull was hit twice
at least, and more than likely would
not go great ways. 1t was mex
pedient to follow him up at that
time, because he was still fresh and
strong. It seemed best to go back
to camp and come out the next day
and track him, because he would
be liable to run only a short dis
trance and then lie down to rest
and become stiff and incapable of
running any great distance. On
the other hand, if pursued, he
might continue to run while his
strength held out.
With anxious hearts we returned
to camp, noting with apprehension
the lower clouds that were begin
ming to darken the sky. The in
dications of storm which would
cover the ground with snow were
not welcome at that particular time,
as much as had desired it pre-
viously. Fresh snow will obliter-
ate the tracks and destroy the scent
on the ground. If that should
happen, l had small expectation of
securing my trophy. The next
morning the guide looked into my
tent and said that everything was
covered with snow. | Immediately
went QUITO see for myself. There,
sure enough, it lay several inches
deep. 1t covered the trees, bend
ing the branches under their weight
and transforming, as if by magic,
the rugged landscape into a fairy
land. 1t was beautiful it was
Disappointing.
After breakfast we set out, TAX
ing one of the dogs with us. When
we reached the spot where the elk
had been shot the keen scented dog
began to sniff the tops of the sage
brush which stood about two feet
high. We followed him as he
confidently pursued his way
through the sage brush and timber,
until finally, ascending small
knoll, | espied just over the crest
the tops of the antlers spread out
like the branches of a tree. The
noble elk was stretched out in
beautiful and stately repose, his
neck supported against fallen
tree, which held up his antlers, as
if determined that even in death
they should not be defled by touch
ing the ground.
At last my trophy was won, and
l had something to show to admir-
ing friends. A post mortem exam
nation upon the carcass of this
monarch of the Rockies, conducted
by coroner's jury composed of my
guide Sheffield and the ranchman
Shives, resulted in a verdict of ex-
cusable regicide, caused by two
bullet wounds inflicted by 'ten-
derfoot.
The remaining days of the hunt
ing trip passed most pleasantly,
and 1 added one ,::ore trophy to my
collection, but not so handsome
one as the first. Nor does that one
appear to as great advantage, al
though it has been handsomely
mounted. as it did in its natural
surroundings, resting upon the
head of the finest animal this con-
tinent has produced.
E. F. R. In Forest and Stream.
Renew your Subscription.