CHAPTER XXVI THE MUCKLE HART 



a tuft of rushes, I had a perfect view of the noble animal, ly- 

 ing on the open hillock, lazily stretched out at length, and 

 only movingnowand then to scratchhisflank with his horn. 

 I watched him for fully an hour, the water up to my knees 

 all the time. At length he stirred, gathered his legs together, 

 and rose ; and arching his back, he stretched himself just as 

 a bullock does when rising from his night's lair. My heart 

 throbbed, as turning all round he seemed to try the wind for 

 hissecurity.andthen walked straight to the burn,atapoint 

 about one hundred and fifty yards from me. I was much 

 tempted, but had resolution to reserve my fire, reflecting 

 that I had but one barrel. He went into the burn at a deep 

 pool, and standing in it up to his knees, took a long drink. 

 I stooped to put on a new copper cap and prick the nipple 

 of my rifle; and — on looking up again, he was gone! I was 

 in despair; and was on the point of moving rashly, when I 

 saw his horns again appear a little farther off, but not more 

 than fifty yards from the burn. By-and-bytheylowered, and 

 I judgedhe was lying down. "You are mine at last," I said; 

 and I crept cautiously up the bed of the burn till I was op- 

 posite where he had lain down. I carefully and inch by inch 

 placed my rifle over the bank, and then ventured to look a- 

 long it. I could see only his horns, but within an easy shot. 

 I was afraid to move higher up the bed of the burn, where 

 I could have seen his body; the direction of the wind made 

 that dangerous. I took breath for a moment, and screwed 

 up my nerves; and then with my cocked rifle at my shoulder 

 and myfinger on the trigger, I kickeda stone which splash- 

 ed into the water. He started up instantly; but exposed on- 

 ly hisfront towards me. Still he was very near, scarcely fifty 

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