298 BIG GAME SHOOTING 



bushes " were scattered about. I stood behind a 

 tree trunk, and watched. After a bit I made out 

 movements here and there in the grass ; the deer, no 

 doubt, but I could not see them, the grass was too 

 high. Another touch from Puddoo ; I looked where 

 he pointed, my heart gave a bound. About 100 

 yards from me, looking like two bare branches, I 

 saw what certainly must be a magnificent pair of 

 antlers. Every other part of the beast was hidden 

 in the grass. I watched for some time, wondering 

 what I had bettfer do. If the herd came to me, good 

 and well, but if they went the other way into the 

 forest I was done. Fortunately the stag was nearer 

 to me than the hinds, and the wind was in my favour. 

 I would chance crouching up to him in the high grass. 

 I told Puddoo to stop where he was. Bending low, 

 off I went. Every now and again 1 looked over the 

 grass with one eye as it were. Nearer and nearer I 

 got. As I did so those antlers got bigger and bigger. 

 Oh, Goddess Diana, give me this stag, and I will be 

 your slave ! Eighty yards, sixty, fifty I heard the 

 hinds rustling about near me, although I could not 

 see them. I made up my mind to chance a shot. I 

 stopped for a moment to steady my hand. I knew 

 if I stood up and showed myself now the stag would 

 throw up his head and stare for a moment before he 

 made off. I asked myself, " Are you steady ? " I 

 felt the hammers of my rifle. All right ! I stood 

 straight up, with rifle to the shoulder. There was a 

 snort of alarm, and within fifty yards, staring straight 

 at me in astonishment, was a head and horns. It 



