50 RED DEER. 



nerves must be when they can only deter- 

 mine that it is colour, and cannot distinguish 

 hues. I have been gazing intently for an 

 hour, scarcely closing the lids, and under the 

 bright light of a summer noon. It is not 

 just glancing across but the careful mapping 

 of every acre that has strained them. Merely 

 looking for a few moments downwards at 

 the grass under foot completely restored the 

 power of distinguishing colour. 



I went on further, and stayed again to 

 examine a reddish spot ; this time it was 

 where a path could be seen for a yard or two 

 under the oaks. A third time a fragment of 

 rock held the glance for a second or two ; no, 

 that is not the shape nor the tint wished for. 

 These great woods will disappoint me ; I shall 

 not sec any deer, but I will go down and walk, 

 or rather climb, through them somehow. 

 Suddenly, as I looked once more, I caught 

 sight of a red mark in the midst of an acre 

 of brake surrounded by oak. I was sure it 

 was a stag instantly by the bright colour, by 



