Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 May 1895 — RODE A DEER. [ARTICLE]

RODE A DEER.

Perilous Adventure of a Hunter in Florida. James L. Harn, of Fort Myers, Fla., took a Mazeppalike ride on the neck of a deer that came near costing him his life. Mr. Harn and Dr. T. E. Langford were out hunting, when they saw a fine buck quietly feeding half a mile away. It was agreed that Harn should stalk the deer, while Langford remained with the horses. Accordingly Harn dismounted and began to approach the deer, which, in the meantime, had moved so that it was no longer visible. After half an hour Langford heard a shot and supposed Harn had killed the deer. A few minutes later he heard a cry for help, and Immediately after saw the deer come tearing through the brush with Harn clinging to its neck. At every bound Harn was being terribly lacerated by the sharp hoofs of the deer and the brush. The direction in which the deer was moving would cause it to pass within fifty yards of Langford, and the latter resolved to attempt to shoot the animal as it came by. The doctor realized that the bullet might hit Harn, but felt it was the only chance to save his friend’s life. Accordingly, as the buck with its human burden came bounding past Langford took careful aim and fired. The shot was successful, and with the next bound the deer fell dead. Langford hastened to Harn’s aid, and found him in a terribly lacerated condition. His clothing had been torn from him and his skin cut to shreds by either the hoofs of the deer or the brush. While suffering much agony from his injuries, Harn will recover. Harn says when he fired the deei fell, and supposing the animal dead he approached to cut its throac. As he reached the buck it sprang to its feet and darted at him. Harn instinctively threw his arms about the deer’s neck and then came the ride through the brush. Harn was afraid to let go, lest the buck should paw him to death. Dr. Langford’s shot was a lucky one, the bullet entering just behind the shoulder of the deer.