A Winter Walk 303 



The sun stood on the distant hilltop, gilding it 

 with crimson and golden streaks. 



There, in this wonderful setting of valley 

 and hilltop, of light and shadow, were five 

 feeding deer. 



A tall, stately buck was holding down a 

 young birch while he browsed contentedly. 



Two does were nibbling at some branches 

 already broken down, while two fawns, who 

 by this time had nearly lost their dappled 

 markings, were standing close to the doe's 

 flanks, as though for warmth and protection. 



I hardly dared to breathe lest by some 

 magic the picture should fade away and be 

 lost. I had barely taken in all the details of 

 this wonderful scene when there was a strong 

 puff of wind at our backs. 



"Wind has shifted, Harry," whispered 

 Ben. " Now watch them." 



The whisper had barely died upon his lips 

 when the buck threw up his head, snorted and 

 stamped as though half belligerent and half 

 terrified. Then there was another strong 

 puff of wind and he stamped and snorted 



