122 RECENT HUNTING TRIPS. 



For twenty yards or so beyond the edge of 

 the forest there grew a fi'inge of rough grass, 

 but when I had crept to the verge of this there 

 was absolutely not a vestige of cover on the 

 level expanse of mud between myself and the 

 recumbent stag, which I judged to be some- 

 what more than two hundred yards away 

 from me. 



It was lying broadside on to me, but with the 

 head turned away, and I lay still and watched 

 it for some time. Several times it lay flat down 

 on its side, but never remained long in this 

 position. I believe that I could have crawled 

 quite close up to it over the mud, but I thought 

 I could hit it from where I was, and I began to 

 be afraid that the wind might shift and give it 

 warning of my approach. So, taking what I 

 thought was a steady aim, I fired. At the shot 

 the stag rolled on its back, but, recovering 

 itself, got on its legs and came running towards 

 me. 



I let it come on to within a hundred and 

 twenty yards and then put another bullet into 

 its chest, and this must have pierced its heart. 



