Informal Chapters on Painters, Vaudeville, and Poets | Page 7

guns--the stocks of which, however, were sadly damaged by the
fire. Our camp equipage, which was very welcome, was uninjured,
together with a few knives and other articles of iron.
So serious was our loss, that it became absolutely necessary to return to
the nearest settlement to obtain fresh pack-animals and a supply of
powder.
CHAPTER TWO.
By the loss of our baggage, we were reduced to hard fare. We had no
coffee, no corn meal, no salt or pepper; but our greatest want was
powder. Should the ammunition in our pouches hold out, we hoped to
obtain food enough to keep us from starving till we could reach the
nearest settlement of Tillydrone. Before commencing our return
journey, however, it would be necessary, we agreed, to obtain a supply
of meat, as we should find but little game in the region we had to cross.
We must push on through it, therefore, as fast as our horses could carry
us; but after their hard gallop on the previous day, it would be
necessary to give them several hours rest, and it was settled that we
should remain encamped where we were until the following morning.
The locality had many advantages: it was high and dry, while,
commanding as it did an extensive view over the prairie, we could see
any hostile Indians approaching, and could defend ourselves should
they venture to attack us.
As soon as breakfast was over, and we had rested from the fatigues of
the morning, we again set out on foot with our guns. Charley and I, as

before, kept together. The rest divided into two parties, each hoping to
add a good supply of meat to the common stock. We had entered into
an agreement not to fire a shot, unless sure of our aim, as every charge,
to us, was worth its weight in gold. A spot had been fixed on, where we
were to meet, about a couple of miles from the camp, in the centre of
the ridge. Charley and I had gone on for an hour or more, but had met
with no game, when what was our delight to see a herd of a dozen large
deer feeding in a glade below us; and, although too far off to risk a shot,
we hoped that by making a wide circuit we should be able to creep up
to them on the lee side.
Taking the proposed direction, we observed a large clump of
rose-bushes, which grew in great profusion in that region. Near them
also were two or three trees, behind which we expected to be able to
conceal ourselves while we took aim at the deer. Keeping as much
under cover as possible, we reached the rose-bushes, when we began to
creep along on hands and knees, trailing our guns after us. To our
delight we found that the deer were still feeding quietly, unsuspicious
of danger. I managed to reach one of the trees, Charley another. The
two nearest animals were a stag and a doe. I agreed to shoot the former,
Charley the latter.
He waited until I gave the signal, when our guns went off at the same
instant. As the smoke cleared away, we saw that both our shot had
taken effect. It had been settled that, in case the animals should attempt
to get up, we were to rush out and despatch them with our
hunting-knives. I ran towards the stag, which made an effort to escape,
but rolled over and died just as I reached it. Turning round to ascertain
how it fared with Charley, I saw the doe rise to her feet, though
bleeding from a wound in the neck. I instantly reloaded to be ready to
fire, knowing that under such circumstances even a doe might prove a
dangerous antagonist. It was fortunate that I did so, for the animal,
throwing herself upon her haunches, began to strike out fiercely with
her fore-feet, a blow from which would have fractured my friend's skull.
Seeing his hat fall to the ground, I was afraid that he had been struck.
Holding his rifle, which he had unfortunately forgotten to reload,
before him in the fashion of a single-stick, he attempted to defend

himself; but one of the animal's hoofs, striking his shoulder, brought
him to the ground, so that he was unable to spring back out of harm's
way. For a moment the deer retreated, but then again came on with her
fore-feet in the air, intent on mischief. Now was the moment to fire, as
the next Charley might be struck lifeless to the ground. I pulled the
trigger, aiming at the head of the doe; for, had I attempted to shoot her
in the breast, I might have hit my companion. As