THE HUNTED STAG. 159 



stands at bay in the river, choosing a place 

 so deep that the hounds must swim to 

 reach him, while he is firm on his feet. 

 Though they swarm about him, if the water 

 is deep enough he can keep them at bay 

 with his antlers for a time ; but they are 

 too numerous. His strength decreases as 

 their eagerness increases, for they attack 

 him for his flesh ; they hunt not only for 

 the joy of the chase, but the savage flavour 

 of blood. Hounds that have not before 

 seen a stag at bay rush in, and are received 

 on the terrible brow-points. 



After delivering a blow with his antlers, 

 the stag holds his head high up, his large 

 eyes straining down on the hounds, and 

 his mouth shut. They swarm upon him, 

 and weary him out, pulling him down at 

 last by his legs, and he falls with his legs 

 under him as a bullock lies. The hounds 

 are whipped off, or they would tear him to 



