The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1909-11-26

an immense beast he looked, and how
Keen | should have been to kill him
mad not seen something better.
Presently another grand stag came
by, but | 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. | 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-
matte Albert fidgeted and almost said
something. He kept looking intently
at the herd on our left, and could
read his thoughts as he mentally
planned fresh stalk at the main
herd. But even to look in that direc-
ton signified an admission of weak
ness on my part, so | kept the glass
glued on the object of my desires till
my eyes ached at watching his slow,
measured steps. Again and again he
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 a 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
lop towards us. What joy! 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 | knew they would
follow the line of the others and thus
pass within easy shot. Moreover, |
felt that had been right to wait, and
that pleases any mans vanity. On
and on they came till the stag began
L.. L., 81 S00 d10 orIc
300 yards. Now they stop and 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 | had never seen
before. A merciful Providence causes
the bull to stop Just where the others
had stood, but he Is covered by two
binds and must wait till they have
moved. He pokes one gently out OF
the way and then himself moves for
ward a step or two to smeA the earth
It is enough; the sight IS on his shout
der and l let go. He swings round
once, shaking his head, and then rolls
over with all four legs in tee air.
give a whoop of triumph, for those
great antlers are mine, and | rusf
down the hill for the possible chance
of a long shot at one of the stays or
the opposite hill. They are 500 yard:
away at least, and all damned to
gether in a solid pack as a result o
the shot, A little forest of antler'
stands out above a darkness of bodies
It is hopeless to fire, as the stays arr
all at the back, and ! must wait til
thew string out and run. Now the!
are off, tearing over the hills In a MAJ
race. One stag shows to the right OF
the skyline and | salute him with tW
shots. But it is hopeless, as | canno
see the striking point of the bullets
A loud call on the part of Albert nov
directs my attention to the stag ha
shot, and | see him struggling to re
gain his feet. so I at once place bu
LET through the lungs, which produce
immediate collapse. The first sho
if seems, had gone little to hig
and too far forward, between the nee
and shoulder.
7 have killed many fine stays i
other lands, but shall always remen
, Der that day on the glorious Tuy
mountains when little self-restrair
met with a result equal to ones higl
, est hopes.
]. G. M1LLAIS.