A^^ECDOTE OF DEER-STALKING. 161 



for it, Harry ; now for it in earnest/ said Glenvallicli, 

 after a moment's halt to recover breath. ' Double- 

 quick wliile we may — we shall soon have to go slow 

 enough ;' and entering the a body of shallow water- 

 course, they descended its rough bed at a rapid pace. 

 The waft of a hand from Duncan, who led, stopped the 

 party, and crouching low, they changed their quick 

 step for a stealthy pace, with which they rounded a 

 height, and under its shelter remained until their exact 

 position with regard to the object of their quest should 

 be ascertained. * Look here,' whispered Grienvallich, 

 taking Tresham by the arm, after having made a short 

 examination himself, ' what think you of Duncan for a 

 pilot?' Kaising his eyes to a level with the heather 

 top, Tresham could see, at the distance of not more 

 than three hundred yards, the horns of a noble stag 

 just arising between two braes. No other part of the 

 animal was visible; but the moving of the antlers, 

 which slowly turned from side to side, proved suffi- 

 ciently that he maintained a vigilant look-out after his 

 own safety. ' We'll match him yet, I think,' said Grien- 

 vallich, retreating a few yards to get further under cover 

 of the rising ground. Maccombich, followed by the rest 

 of the party, crept upon all fours from the water-course 

 across thirty or forty yards of long heath-covered 

 moor until they reached a maze of peat-bog cracks of 

 little depth, but sufficient to cover a man creeping flat 

 upon his belly. This, although the moss was moist and 

 muddy, they were forced to submit to, as the only way 

 to cross unseen by their intended victim, and in this 

 manner they gained about a hundi-ed and fifty yards 

 more upon the deer's position. The forester alone was 



