BRITISH SPORT PAST AND PRESENT 



by the deer. Finlay then returned, crawUng along the ground, 

 to the spot where we were lying, and directed us to creep back 

 for a short distance until we were out of sight. As yet, the rest 

 of the party had seen nothing of the stag, and although the 

 stalker pointed steadily in the direction in which he was, 

 not one of the party could discover him with the naked eye ; 

 but Buskar, who had hitherto followed quietly, now com- 

 menced a low whining noise, and with ears erect, gazed steadily 

 at the spot where the deer was lying. On taking the glass, we 

 were soon satisfied of the correctness of the stalker's vision, 

 for we could distinctly perceive a fine stag lying on the side of 

 the valley to our left, quietly chewing the cud, and looking 

 round in all directions. We immediately retreated, and 

 following our guide, got into the channel of a mountain 

 stream, which (though the stag was in a situation that com- 

 manded a greater part of the valley) enabled us, from its depths 

 and windings, to approach towards him until we should be 

 screened by some intervening rocks. 



' We then left the channel of the stream, and finding that 

 we could proceed no farther in that direction without being 

 observed or scented by the deer, whose power of smell is most 

 acute, we turned to the left, and, keeping the lowest ground, 

 proceeded some way up the side of the valley on which he lay, 

 when Finlay informed us that we should soon be again in 

 sight ; and that, in order to keep ourselves concealed, it was 

 necessary to throw om-selves on our faces, and creep through 

 some rushes that lay before us. This we did, following each 

 other in a hne, and closely observing the motions of our guide, 

 for the distance of a 100 yards, until a rising ground inter- 

 vening between us and the deer permitted us to regain an 

 upright posture. Having gained this point, Finlay thought 

 it necessary to take another view of the deer, in case he might 

 have changed his position, and thus, perhaps, be brought into 

 sight of us when we least expected it. It was proper also to 

 ascertain whether or not there were any deer in his neighbour- 

 hood, who might be disturbed by our approach, and communi- 



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