r two.

CHAPTER XXIV.

A HUNT.

When Tim O'Rooney left the island and crossed to the eastern shore of
the Salinas he had almost forgotten the existence of any such thing as
hostile Indians. He was after something to eat, and some how or other it
seemed to him that the climate of California had given him a most
ravenous appetite, which demanded satisfaction regardless of
consequences.

Touching land, he pulled his canoe up the bank to prevent its being
carried away by the current, and then plunged boldly into the forest.
The land from the river rose quite rapidly until it reached an elevation
of several hundred feet, when it was broken by gorges, ravines and
chasms, which made it rattier difficult to travel, and gave it an
extremely wild and picturesque appearance.

Fairly among these broken hills, Tim began to look for his game, but for
a time saw nothing to draw his fire. Finally he reached a wild-looking
gorge which descended over a hundred feet below him, while upon the
opposite side it rose to a greater height than the place upon which he
stood.

The Irishman was so struck with the wild scenery that he stood a few
moments contemplating it in silent admiration, when all at once he
became conscious that something else beside himself was engaged in
looking. Directly across the gorge, so as to be almost opposite to him,
he saw the head of an animal which he recognized at once as belonging to
a black-tailed deer.

"Be the powers! but you're jist the gintleman that I'd like to make an
acquaintance with, as me mither said when me father axed her hand in
marriage."

Tim drew his rifle carefully and rested it upon a rock beside him. The
deer gazed at him with that expression of stupid wonder which wild
animals assume when confronted with something, and they seem to be
debating with themselves whether to leap away at high speed or to stare
a moment longer.

The distance was so slight that Tim was sure of his aim. Nevertheless,
he took great care in sighting his piece, and as his finger gently
pressed the trigger, he held his breath. The bullet sped true, entering
just below and between the eyes, and with such deadly effect that the
mortally wounded deer sprung several feet in the air and fell dead
within a rod of the spot where it had stood when struck.

"That is plaisant," muttered the Irishman, as he saw the animal fall,
"and yez hav the distinguished honor of baing the first deer that Tim
O'Rooney br