me we could hear the elk
breaking through the thick cane and bushes, with the dogs yelling in
close pursuit.

"I thought there would be no chance of the mastiffs coming up with them,
and was, therefore, not intending to follow; when, all at once, I heard
the voices of the dogs change from yelping to that of a worrying sound,
as though they were engaged in a fierce conflict with one another.

"`Perhaps I have wounded the animal, and they have overtaken it,' said
I. `Come, Cudjo! let us after and see. Boys, remain to take care of
your mother.'

"I laid hold of Harry's rifle, and followed by Cudjo, ran across the
glade in the track which both elk and dogs had taken. As we entered the
bushes, I saw that their leaves were sprinkled with blood.

"`No doubt,' said I, `he is wounded, and badly, too. We shall have him
yet.'

"`Dat we shall, Massa!' cried Cudjo; and we ran on as fast as we could
through the thick cane-brake, in the track made by the animals. I ran
ahead of my companion, as Cudjo was rather slow of foot. Every here and
there I saw gouts of blood on the leaves and cane; and, guided by the
hoarse voices of the mastiffs, I soon reached the spot where they were.
Sure enough the wounded elk was there, down upon his knees, and
defending himself with his antlers; while one of the dogs lay sprawling
on the ground and howling with pain. The other still kept up the fight,
endeavouring to seize the elk from behind; but the latter spun round, as
though his knees were upon a pivot, and always presented his horny
spikes in the direction of the attack.

"I was afraid the elk might get a blow at one of our brave dogs, and put
an end to him, so I fired hastily; and, regardless of consequences, ran
forward to finish the elk with the butt of the rifle. I struck with all
my might, aiming directly for his head, but in my hurry I missed him;
and, carried forward with the force which I had thrown into the blow, I
fell right into the midst of his branching antlers! I dropped my rifle,
and seized hold of the points, with the intention of extricating myself;
but before I could do so, the elk had risen to his feet, and with a
powerful jerk of his head tossed me high into the air. I came down upon
a thick network of vines and branches; and, my presence of mind still
remaining, I clutched them as I fell, and held on. It was well that I
did so, for directly under me the infuriated animal was bounding from
point to point, evid