DEER STALKING. 85 



two more stuck in his belt. When he sees 

 a stag either on the open ground or in the 

 cover, he directs the ox in such a way, that 

 the animal's shoulder is always between him 

 and the stag. The deer gets alarmed, but 

 seeing only the accustomed appearance of an 

 ox, relapses into much more security : the 

 ox then, at first when he is being taught, 

 and afterwards of his own accord, approaches 

 gradually the victim, sometimes making a 

 circle round it, until he has got within twenty 

 yards, feeding all the time, if he is an old 

 ox, and approaching the poor deer in the 

 most hypocritical manner. When within 

 reach, the hunter drives an arrow up to the 

 wings into the game, and, unless there are 

 other deer in sight, calls to his dog, who has 

 been patiently lying down a long way off. 

 The deer can scarcely move, being so trans- 

 fixed, and is soon pulled down, opened, 

 drawn, and laid across the ox to carry home, 

 while the dog gets part of the offal. 



It is really curious to watch the scientific 

 mode in which an experienced ox conducts 

 the operation on an open plain; he must 

 take a pleasure in it, or else acts the part to 

 perfection. No sooner does he perceive a 

 deer on the open plain, than down goes his 



