Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1909-11-25

an immense beast he looked, and how
keen l should have been to kill him
had | 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 l 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 I 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 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
u no
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 Alberts face is study.
J He is incredulous and then excited.
"They come now" he says to himself.
1t was a reompense for the hard
ships of the journey to see that little
troop advancing. l 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
to grow in size-500 yards, 400 yards
800 yards Now they stop and smell
about the old tracks, for caribou like
l to follow the exact trail of others of
, their kind Then an old hind puts
t out her neck cocks her ears and trots
9 Slowly down the hill towards our
e hiding place Albert worms himself
n into a desirable support behind nv
d right shoulder, and all is IN readiness
e for his majesty. The nearer he comes
the bigger his horns look and, al
t. though not long, they contain forest
t of points such as | had never seen
It before merciful Providence causes
D the bull to stop just where the others
s had stood, but he is covered by two
r binds and | must wait till they have
" moved. He pokes one gently out OF
n the way and then himself moves for
J. ward step or two to smell the earth
e. 1t is enough; the sight is on his shoul
1t der and | let go He swings round
h once, shaking his head, and then rolls
n over with all four legs in the air
IS give a whoop of triumph, for those
le great antlers are mine, and | rusl
re- down the hill for the possible chance
le OF lODS SuOl dI oIlS VI luG SldSS VI
ID the opposite hill They are 500 yards
IS away at least, and all damned to
of gether in solid pack as a result o
I'd the shot. A little forest of antler
re stands out above a darkness of bodies
1e 1t is hopeless to fire, as the stays ar
We all at the back, and ! must wait til
they string out and run. Now the
nt are off tearing over the hills in ma
ne race One stag shows to the right O
10 the skyline and l salute him with tw
shots But it is hopeless, as l cannC
= see the striking point of the bullet:
"a loud call on the part of Albert no.
J, directs my attention to the stag ! ha
shot. and ! see him struggling to r.
gain his feet, SO I at once place bu
let through the lungs, which produce
immediate collapse. The first sho
~ it seems, had gone little 10 hig
- and too far forward, between the nee
and shoulder
Il have killed many fine stays
,is other lands, but shall always remer
he Der that day on the glorious Tuy
ri. mountains when little selfrestrail
mr. met with result equal to ones hig
he est hopes.
j. G. MILLAIs.