The Republican journal., 1910-09-22

ing each moment. He SIMPLY must get
into camp before it set, for it would be
impossible for him to 60 on after dark.
So, gathering up all his fortitude, he
struggled up and on again.
Climbing the rising ground beyond the
stream so exhausted him that on reach
ing the level, he sat down again on a log
to pull himself together.
Reclining against tree, he felt he
must have passed into semi-unco conscious
state, for coming back to realizing
sense of his surroundings, he knew some
thing unusual had happened. Immedi-
ately all his senses seemed on the alert,
for what reason, he did not know. For
getting the pain, he listened intently.
On the western side of the road, a
bank sloped sharply down to an alder
swamp, through which ran stream, the
outlet to Echo lake.
Did he imagine it, or did he really hear
the breaking and crashing of dead under
brush well down the brook? He certain
ly did, and each moment it was sounding
louder. Now all his senses were concen-
trated into the one supreme effort of
hearing, then two rifle shots rang out
pat, pat, almost together quick work,
whoever fired that rifle knew his bust
ness. Then, through an opening in the
forest, far below, he saw a big deer
clear the stream at jump, then swing
about and head up the brook straight for
the position in which he was sitting. 1t
was but fleeting glimpse, and the deer
disappeared in the brush! With a gasp
of pain he scrambled to his feet and un-
slung his rifle.
1t is well known fact among hunters
fhn% C.
little attention to what is ahead. All its
efforts seem centered in its attempt to
get away as quickly as possible from
whatever has alarmed it. 1t starts
quickly and doesn't stop for adieus to
whatever it may have left behind, or
wait for lntroductions to what is in front.
1t just plunges madly on, blindly, clear
ing all Instructions in its pathway.
All attention, Simpson stood expec-
family waiting, rife in hand He could
hear the deer crashing through the dead
alders. Just before coming into sight it
turned to the right to make up the bank
and onto the high land.
Simpson had fine chance to shoot as
it came flying into sight, but his lame
knee prevented his swinging about in
time. AS the deer sprang across the
road, the man, in turning, gave his leg a
twist which almost threw him down, and
in attempting to recover himself, his RI
file went off.
At the report, the deer stopped short,
startled and surprised by this new alarm,
then began looking about irving to To-
cate it. Its head and neck were hid by
large oak, but its shoulders and body
were IN plain sight. 1t was but the
work OF moment to jack a fresh shell
INTO the chamber, then quick aim, and
the soft point went crashing through the
deer's fore shoulder.
With a convulsive bound, it sprang
high into the air, then came down kick
ing and thrashing, all in a heap. But
Immediately it was up and off again into
the woods. Simpson got second shot
as it disappeared, but with what success
he couldn't say.
This was certainly tough proposition.
There was the deer he had hunted so per-
slstently, going away hard hit, and the
only thing needed to secure it was to
follow it up. That, of course, was i'm
possible; nothing on his part but to stand
and see it go.
Did you ever hear of the extremely
religious young woman, who, having
been Ill for years and losing all patience,
said: "Sister, can't stand this any
longer. | just won't. l am going to do
something desperate. l am going to
swear
"Oh, don't, don't. l beg of you don't
81 will. I'm going to. Devil Devil!
Devil! Therep'
Well, the widest things Simpson said
We're Tar worse than that, and MANY
were really and truly wicked. However,
the deer was gone and gone for good, so
far, at least, as he was concerned, so
there was no use in swearing over it.
AS he stood looking at the blood spat-
tered about on the leaves and ground, he
heard someone approaching and looking
down saw Chadbourne, one of the camp
guides, coming out of the alders, follow
ing on the trail of the deer.
What's the matter?' he said, as he
saw Simpson supporting himself on the
improvised crutch. ''Lame?"
'''Oh, no, not at all. It's only an lmi-
ttatlon. Say, my boy, l plunked that
buck plumb through the shoulder. Hit
him good and hard for he went down.
Now get into the bush and after him,
quick, and when you find what's doing,
come back and get me. I'm hurt"
AS the man disappeared, Simpson
staggered back against a birch, went
white, then slipped Imply down, an in
ert heap, at the foot OF the tree, and
here the guide found him later on.
A swallow of brandy and a dash of
cold water in the face soon brought him
to. "Well?', he said, feebiy, opening
ms eyes, and looking inquiringly up at
Chadbourne
Dead! Dead as belcher. Only ran
about hundred rods. | found him
hanging over down hemlock, and he is
dandy. l dressed him off, he said,
displaying bloodstained pair of hands
and wrists.
The cock and will bring him out in
the morning, for, according to the looks
OF things about here, | guess | have got
all can attend to getting you into camp
before dark.