chap. vni. THE BA Y. 185 



Finding this uncomfortable, he made a sudden dash 

 forward, and, striking the dogs over, away he went 

 down the steep sides of the ravine, followed once more 

 by the dogs and myself. 



By clinging from tree to tree, and lowering myself 

 by the tangled creepers, I was soon at the foot of the 

 first fall, which plunged into a deep pool on a flat 

 plateau of rock, bounded on either side by a wall-like 

 precipice. 



This plateau was about eighty feet in length, 

 through which, the water flowed in two rapid but 

 narrow streams from the foot of the first fall towards a 

 second cataract at the extreme end. This second fall 

 leaped from the centre of the ravine into the lower 

 plain. 



When I arrived on this fine level surface of rock, a 



splendid sight presented itself. In the centre of one 



of the rapid streams, the buck stood at bay, belly-deep, 



with the torrent rushing in foam between his legs. 



His mane was bristled up, his nostrils were distended, 



and his antlers were lowered to receive the dog who 



should first attack him. I happened to have a spear 



on that occasion, so that I felt he could not escape, 



and I gave the baying dogs a loud cheer on. Poor 



Cato ! it was his first elk, and he little knew the 



danger of a buck at bay in such a strong position. 



Answering with youthful ardour to my halloa, the 



young dog sprang boldly at the elk's face, but, caughl 



O 



