112 DEER-STALKING. CH. XXVI. 



clear his brain, and divesting himself of his game- 

 bag and other encumbrances, he set off. He reached 

 a mound within thirty yards of the stag, and lying 

 flat on his stomach, with his rifle resting on the bank, 

 he aimed long and steadily; then, with sundry kicks 

 and contortions, screwing himself into an attitude 

 that pleased him more, he took another aim, and 

 then a good strong pull at the trigger but in vain, 

 as he had not cocked the rifle. Without taking it 

 off the rest over the bank, he pulled back the ham- 

 mer and fired instantly, missing the stag entirely. 

 Donald was too astonished to move ; but not so the 

 stag, who jumped up and made off going, however, 

 so stifly and lamely, that I saw the dogs must bring 

 him to immediately. So I let them go, and in a 

 very short time they had the poor beast on the 

 ground, and were both fixed on him like leeches, 

 the bull-dog on his throat, and the pointer worrying 

 at his shoulder. 



"Bravo, Donald! well missed!" I could not 

 help calling out as I passed him, running as hard 

 as I could to help the dogs. The old man was not 

 long in joining me ; and the dogs were soon got 

 off The stag was bled, and then examined all 

 over to see where he had been struck. 



" 'Deed, sir," said Donald, pointing to the rifle, 

 " she is as gleg and kittle to handle as " 



