52 RED DEER. 



danger. I wished to see him closer, and 

 went down a path which descends the side 

 of the green mount. 



The path is a groove worn in loose 

 and sliding stones, steep and slippery be- 

 cause the stones give way, yet it is down 

 this that the huntsman rides and those 

 who follow him. I found it awkward 

 enough on foot till under the oaks lower 

 down, where there were fewer loose red 

 stones. Here the sound of rushing water 

 grew much louder, and in a minute or two 

 the stream appeared, running at a great 

 speed over the rocky fragments of its bed. 

 Across this beautiful stream a tree had been 

 thrown and hewn flat at the upper side; 

 this, with a handrail, formed a bridge for 

 foot passenger-. Upon the opposite side a 

 track went beside the water through the 

 woods. Stalking silently along the path, I 

 came presently under the stag, and watched 

 him from behind a tree ; he was so near 

 that his slightest motion was visible. 



