ON PLAIN AND PEAK 



away ? Would he be standing broadside on ? 

 Would he be far or near ? Is a stag a big object 

 to shoot at ? Horrible thought ! Should I miss 

 him ? 



These and a thousand other doubts and anxieties 

 filled my mind, as I toiled gingerly along ; with the 

 Prince going gaily on ahead, like some wild animal 

 stealing on its prey ! 



" I can see some of his ladies," whispers the 

 Prince, "and I believe the stag is in that hollow." 



We are not crawling now we are wriggling 

 along like serpents. 



My companion has stopped behind a tree, and is 

 gazing through the glasses. 



" It is the stag," he says, "and he is lying down. 

 You can get a shot from here. It's a very difficult 

 one there's only a bit of him to be seen ; but you'll 

 have to risk it." 



I wriggle up alongside, and look through the 

 glasses also. 



Yes, there he is ! I can see one of his antlers, 

 and a little bit of his neck, between the trees ; and 

 there are three or four hinds all staring our way. 



" I believe those hinds see us," says the Prince. 

 " You must shoot at once." 



Reader, do you remember your first shot at a 

 stag? 



I shall never forget my feelings at that moment ! 



26 



