chap. vii. DEER-STALKING. \\<, 



streams for foot-marks of the spotted deer. Upon dis- 

 covering the tracks their date is immediately known, 

 the vicinity of the game is surmised, the tracks are fol- 

 lowed up, and the herd is at length discovered. The 

 wind is observed ; dry leaves crumbled into powder 

 and let fall from the hand detect the direction if the 

 slightest air is stirring, and the approach is>made ac- 

 cordingly. Every stone, every bush or tree or tuft of 

 grass, is noted as a cover for an advance, and the body 

 being kept in a direct line with each of these objects, 

 you approach upon hands and knees from each succes- 

 sive place of shelter till a proper distance is gained. 

 The stalking is the most exciting sport in the world. 

 I have frequently heard my own heart beat while 

 creeping up to a deer. He is an animal of wonderful 

 acuteness, and possessing the keenest scent ; he is 

 always on the alert, watching for danger from his 

 stealthy foe the leopard, who is a perfect deer-stalker. 

 To kill spotted deer well, if they are tolerably 

 wild, a person must be a really good rifle shot, other- 

 wise he will wound many, but seldom bag one. They 

 are wonderfully fast, and their bounding pace makes 

 them extremely difficult to hit while running. Even 

 when standing they must be struck either through the 

 head, neck, or shoulder, or they will rarely be killed 

 on the spot ; in any other part, if wounded, they will 

 escape as though untouched, and die a miserable death 

 in solitude. 



