The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-12-02

an immense beast he looked and no "
keen | 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 tho
Dig 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 NV heart sank TO the
depths OF despair. Even the phleR-
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 a 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 few mouthfuls OF food. But
what is this7 He has started and Is
galloping full speed. Has something
frightened him or has some fresh but
appeared to excite hts 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 or at full gal.
lop towards us. What joy Our luck
has turned Albert's face is a study
lie is incredulous and then excited. |
They come now" he says to himself. |
II 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 THUG |
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 slze-50O yards, 400 yards,
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
kinds and ! must wait till they have
He pokes one gently out OF
he way and then himself moves for.
ward step or two to smell the earth.
L is enough; the sight is on his Shout.
Ter and | let go. He swings round
)nce, shaking his head. and then rolls
over with all four legs in the afr. |
give a whoop Of triumph. for those
great antlers are mine, and I rush
Town the hin for the possible chance
# long shot at one OF the stays on
he opposite hill. They are 500 yards
lway at least and all jammed TO.
'ether in solid pack as a result of
he shot. A little forest OF antlers
tands out above a darkness of bodies.
I is hopeless to FIRE. as the stays are
III at the back. and must wait till
hey string out and run. Now they
IRE of. tearing over the hills In a mad
ace. One stag shows to the right on
he skyline and ! salute him with two
hots. But II is hopeless. as | cannot
ee the striking point of the bullets.
loud call on the part OF Albert now
irects my attention to the stag had
hot, and I see him struggling to re. I
ain his feet. so at once place a bul. {
It through the lungs, which produces
collapse. The first shot. ,
seems. had gone a little to high
nd too far forward. between the neck a
nd shoulder.
| have killed many fine stays in {
Their lands. but shall always remem. |
er that day on the glorious Tuya I
when little self-restraint
let with a result equal to ones high.
st hopes.
J. q. MILLAIs y