WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS 



er stags kept continually circling round the whole herd; 

 occasionally two of these youngsters would meet, but after 

 a few tilts at each other, separated again and continued 

 their watchful march. I saw no chance of getting near the 

 big-antlered leader, though one of the smaller stags could 

 easily have been shot. After consulting with Donald, I 

 sent him to make a large circuit, and when he got quite 

 round them he was to show himself in the distance to the 

 deer. We reckoned on their leaving the glen by a particu- 

 lar pass, close to which I stationed myself. I kept both gun 

 and rifle with me. From my position, though I could not 

 see Donald, I had a good view of the deer. After waiting 

 for nearly an hour, I saw one of the smaller stags suddenly 

 stop in his rounds, and having gazed for a moment or two 

 in the direction in which I knew Donald was, he trotted 

 nearer to the hinds; still, however,haltingoccasionally,and 

 turning an anxious glance down the valley. I saw by his 

 manner that he had not quite made up his mind as to whe- 

 ther there was an enemy at hand; not having got the wind 

 of Donald, but probably having caught a glimpse of some 

 part of his cap or dress. 



The stag then stood motionless on a small hillock, with 

 his head turned towards the suspected quarter, though 

 none of his rivals took any notice of him. The hinds, one 

 and all, kept a most anxious watch on his movements, evid- 

 ently aware that he suspected some danger. In the mean- 

 time Donald seemed to have got a little more to windward 

 of the deer. Presently one old hind got up and snuffed the 

 air.then another and another, till all were on their legs; still 

 they were not decided as to the danger. At last a general 



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