The Pioneers by James Fenimore Cooper
page 15 of 604 (02%)
page 15 of 604 (02%)
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The whole scene had passed with a rapidity that confused the female, who was unconsciously rejoicing in the escape of the buck, as he rather darted like a meteor than ran across the road, when a sharp, quick sound struck her ear, quite different from the full, round reports of her fathers gun, but still sufficiently distinct to be known as the concussion produced by firearms. At the same instant that she heard this unexpected report, the buck sprang from the snow to a great height in the air, and directly a second discharge, similar in sound to the first, followed, when the animal came to the earth, failing head long and rolling over on the crust with its own velocity. A loud shout was given by the unseen marksman, and a couple of men instantly appeared from behind the trunks of two of the pines, where they had evidently placed them selves in expectation of the passage of the deer. Ha! Natty, had I known you were in ambush, I should not have fired, cried the traveller, moving toward the spot where the deer laynear to which he was followed by the delighted black, with his sleigh; but the sound of old Hector was too exhilarating to be quiet; though I hardly think I struck him, either. NonoJudge, returned the hunter, with an inward chuckle, and with that look of exultation that indicates a consciousness of superior skill, you burnt your powder only to warm your nose this cold evening. Did ye think to stop a full-grown buck, with Hector and the slut open upon him within sound, with that pop-gun in your hand! Theres plenty of pheasants among the swamps; and the snow-birds are flying round your own door, where you may feed them with crumbs, and shoot them at pleasure, any day; but if youre for a buck, or a little |
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