was right enough; but if I had failed to meet with any game, I had been guilty of an offence which would have haunted me ever after.

The following day we started up the river, and, after progressing some four or five miles, came in sight of plenty of deer sign.  The general ordered a halt, and directed all hunters out as before.  We sallied out in different directions, our general, who was a good hunter, being one of the number.  At a short distance from the camp I discovered a large buck passing slowly between myself and the camp, at about pistol-shot distance.  As I happened to be standing against a tree, he had not seen me.  I fired, the ball passed through his body, and whizzed past the camp.  Leaving him, I encountered a second deer within three-quarters of a mile.  I shot him and hung him on a limb.  Encouraged with my success, I climbed a tree to get a fairer view of the ground.  Looking around from my elevated position, I perceived some large dark-coloured animal grazing on the side of a hill, about a mile and a half distant.  I was determined to have a shot at him, whatever he might be.  I knew meat was in demand, and that fellow, well-stored, was worth a thousand teal ducks.

I therefore approached with the greatest precaution to within fair rifle-shot distance, scrutinizing him very closely, and still unable to make out what he was.  I could see no horns; if it was a bear, I thought him an enormous one.  I took sight at him over my faithful rifle, which had never failed me, and then set it down, to contemplate the huge animal still further.  Finally I resolved to let fly.  Taking good aim, I pulled the trigger, the rifle cracked, and then I made rapid retreat toward the camp.  After running about two hundred yards, and hearing nothing of a movement behind me, I ventured to look around, and to my great joy I saw the animal had fallen.

        Continuing my course to camp, I encountered the general,
        who, perceiving blood on my hands, addressed me:  “Have you
        shot anything, Jim?”

        I replied, “Yes, sir.”

        “What have you shot?”

        “Two deer and something else,” I answered.

        “And what is something else?” he inquired.

        “I do not know, sir.”

        “What did he look like?” the general interrogated. 
        “Had he horns?”

        “I saw no horns, sir.”

        “What colour was the animal?”

        “You can see him, General,” I replied, “by climbing yonder
        tree.”

The general ascended the tree accordingly, and, looking through his spy-glass, which he always carried, exclaimed, “A buffalo, by heavens!” and coming nimbly down the tree, he gave orders for us to take a couple of horses, and go and dress the buffalo, and bring him to camp.

        I suggested that two horses would not carry the load;
        six were therefore despatched for the purpose, and they
        all came back well packed with the remains.