The Carlisle independent., 1909-11-25

keen 1 should have been to kill him had I not seen something better.
 Presently another grand stag came by, but 1 resisted the temptation to shoot and kept my eyes glued on the big fellow who was still lying down. Finally, he arose, surrounded by five large females. 1 never supposed for an instant but that he would do aught. but follow the others, but to my great. disgust he turned and walked the other way. My heart sank to the depths of despair. Even the phleg- matic Albert fidgeted and almost said something. He kept looking intently at the herd on our left, and I could read his thoughts as he mentality planned a fresh stalk at the main herd. But even to look in that direc-i tion signified an admission of weak! ness on my part, so I kept the glass glued on the object of my desires till, my eyes ached at watching his slow, measured steps. Again and again hei stopped and looked back at his late companions, and then my heart sank as each time he dropped his massive, horns and followed in the wake of the. ladies, who had now commenced to snatch a few mouthfuls of food But what is this? He has started and is galloping full speed Has something frightened him or has some fresh bull appeared to excite his jealousy, for he is master bull without doubt and the rut is near He rushes beyond the leading doe and then down goes his head. The show of power drives the frightened does together and then back on the trail. They hesitate a moment and then start off at full gal Top towards us. What joyi Our luck has turned. Albert's face is a study He is incredulous and then excited. They come now" he says to himself.
 It was a reompense for the hard ships of the journey to see that little troop advancing. I knew they would follow the line of the others and thus pass within easy shot Moreover, I felt that I had been right to wait, and that pleases any mans vanity. On and on they came till the stag began to grow in size-500 yards, 400 yards, cVO yal ANOW they sup anu smell about the old tracks, for caribou like to follow the exact trail of others of their kind. Then an old hind puts out her neck, cocks her ears and trots slowly down the hill towards our hiding place. Albert worms himself into a desirable support behind my right shoulder, and all is in readiness for his majesty. The nearer he comes the bigger his horns look and, al- though not long. they contain a forest of points such as I had never seen before. A merciful Providence causes. the bull to stop just where the others had stood, but he is covered by two minds and I must wait till they have moved. He pokes one gently out of the way and then himself moves for ward step or two to smell the earth. It is enough; the sight is on his shoul- der and I let go. He swings round once, shaking his head, and then rolls over with all four legs in the air. I give whoop of triumph, for those great antlers are mine, and I rush down the hill for the possible chance of long shot at one of the stags on the opposite hill. They are 500 yards away at least, and all damned to- gether in a solid pack as a result of the shot. A little forest of antlers stands out above darkness of bodies. It is hopeless to fire, as the stags are all at the back, and I must wait till they string out and run Now they are of. tearing over the hills in mad race. One stag shows to the right on the skyline and salute him with two shots. But it is hopeless, as I cannot see the striking point of the bullets. A loud call on the part of Albert now directs my attention to the stag had shot, and I see him struggling to re- gain his feet, so at once place bull let through the lungs, which produces immediate collapse. The first shot, it seems, had gone little to high, and too far forward, between the ned and shoulder.
 I have killed many fine stags in other lands, but shall always remem- Der that day on the glorious Tuya mountains when little self-restraint met with result equal to ones high est hopes.
 .G MTrTAro