87 



" But Mansfield was well aware of the extraordinary tenacity of 

 " life possessed by this species of deer and also knew that if follow- 

 " ed, he would pursue his downward course, as long as life remained 

 "and probably be lost, in the heavy forest jungle which encircles 

 " the base of the hills ; and yet if allowed to get out of sight, he 

 " would as probably be lost amongst the high fern, and lemon grass, 

 " or in one of the deep wooded ravines with which the country 

 " abounded. 



" Fortunately however, the elevated position, occupied by the 

 " hunters gave them an advantage, of which no man knew better 

 " than Mansfield how to avail himself, and by skilful maneuvering, 

 " he managed to creep from point to point, keeping the wounded 

 " deer in sight, without frightening him, or driving him into the 

 " low country. The stag finding he was not pursued, and never 

 " having seen the hunters, from the first, soon stopped. 



" But he was in a very ticklish position, and Mansfield felt, that 

 " his utmost generalship must now be called into play, for if 

 " frightened, or missed, that noble stag was lost to him for ever. 

 " The animal was by this time more than halfway down the Ghat 

 " with a clear run below him into the heavy forest jungle and a 

 " few hundred yards beyond him was a dark and dangerous ravine 

 " for which he was evidently making, and from which, if he once 

 " gained its sanctuary, there was little chance of ever recovering 

 " him. 



" Desiring Charles and the peon to remain perfectly quiet, 

 " Mansfield with a rifle in each hand, began to creep down the 

 " steep descent, with the stealthy pace of a panther. 



" About a hundred and fifty yards from the spot, where the 

 " wounded deer stood gazing stupidly around him, there grew a 

 " small clump of stunted date trees, which did not escape the 

 " practised eye of the deer stalker : this was the point at which he 

 " aimed, and by dint of creeping on hands, and knees, he at last 

 " succeeded in getting behind it. 



" Stopping for a moment to draw breath, Mansfield brought his 

 " heavy two-ounce rifle to bear upon the shaggy neck of the stag 

 " and fired. Down dropped his noble head, and a stream of blood 

 " gushed from his throat, 'but still he stood firm. 



