WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS 



like forms as they pass to and fro, sometimes grazing, and 

 sometimes butting at each other in fancied security. His 

 own heart beats so that he almost fears the deer will hear 

 him. Often his finger is on the trigger; but he still refrains, 

 as no deer has come into full view which he thinks worth 

 killing. At last a movement amongst the herd apprises him 

 that the master stagis probably approaching. And sudden- 

 ly the gaunt form of the animal appears in strong relief be- 

 tweenhim and thesky,standingon some risingbit of ground, 

 within thirty yards of the muzzle of his gun. The next in- 

 stant the loud report is echoing and rolling along the moun- 

 tain side, till it gradually dies awayinthedistance.The stag, 

 on receiving the shot, utters a single groan, partly of af- 

 fright and partly of pain, and drops to the ground, where he 

 lies plunging and floundering, but unable to rise from hav- 

 ing received three good-sized pistol-balls in his shoulder. 

 The rest of the herd, frightened by the report and the flash 

 of the gun, dart off at first in all directions; but soon collect- 

 ing together, they can be heard in the still night, for some 

 time after they are lost to view, going up the hill side at a 

 steady gallop. The poacher rushes up to the stag, who is 

 now nearly motionless, only showing symptoms of life by 

 his loud, deep breathing, and an occasional quiver of his 

 limbs, as his life is oosing rapidly away in streams of blood. 

 The skenedhu,plungedinto therootof his neck, and reach- 

 ing to his heart.soon ends his struggles ;and before the next 

 morning the carcass is carried off and cut up. Many a noble 

 stag falls in this way. Near the Caledonian Canal, which af- 

 fords great facility of carriage, the Lochaber poachers kill 

 a considerable number during the season, sending them to 



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