A BULL AT CLOSE QUARTERS 175

course, whether it was pure accident, or whether he heard
me move a boulder, or caught a glimpse of me through
the trees, will always remain a mystery. But alter his
course he did, and, instead of coming out on the far side
of the opening, he suddenly stepped out close to the edge
of the bank and walked along straight to me. The
consequence was that when I raised my camera over the
edge of the bank there was the bull within ten feet of me.

As soon as he spotted me he stopped and glared at me
with an extremely vicious pair of eyes. His attitude
and actions were such that for a second or two I remained
motionless, expecting him to charge me, and heartily
wishing that my rifle had not been left behind with the
horses. However, he contented himself with turning up
his lips and making a sort of whistling, chattering noise,
as well as doing much stamping of his feet. While he was
engaged in these warlike demonstrations there was time
for me to collect my wits and take three snapshots of him,
as well as get another film in place for him as he went off.
That he would have done me an injury if my position
under the bank had not been a secure one I most firmly
believe. In captivity wapiti are the most dangerous of
all deer, and a man takes his life in his hands if he ventures
near an old bull in the ‘‘ rutting’? season; this is known
to me only too well from experience. Of course no
animal is so dangerous in the wild state as in captivity,
but that bull most assuredly gave me some qualms—far
more than any grizzly I have ever met.

The incident ended by the bull taking his leave, and
if he was a noble-looking beast while he was making his
way up the river, his manner of going was spectacular in
the extreme. First of all he made three or four light,
springy steps that were marvels of agility for an animal
of his proportions; then he made five or six enormous
bucks which carried him, with all four feet doubled up
close to his body, high into the air, at the same time
giving several terrific snorts, Then he broke into a trot
and was soon out of sight.

While he was at the full height of one of his bucks I