THE HUNTED STAG. 131 



No more able to run, the hunted stag 

 stands at bay in the river, choosing a place 

 so deep that the hounds must swim to 

 reach him, while he is firm on his feet. 

 Though they swarm about him, if the 

 water is deep enough he can keep them 

 at bay with his antlers for a time ; but 

 they are too numerous. His strength de- 

 creases as their eagerness increases, for they 

 attack him for his flesh ; they hunt not only 

 for the joy of the chase, but the savage 

 flavour of blood. Hounds that have not 

 before seen a stag at bay rush in, and are 

 received on the terrible brow-points. 



After delivering a blow with his antlers, 

 the stag holds his head high up, his large 

 eyes straining down on the hounds, and his 

 mouth shut. They swarm upon him, and 

 weary him out, pulling him down at last by 

 his legs, and he falls with his legs under him 

 as a bullock lies. The hounds are whipped 

 off, or they w T ould tear him to pieces — their 

 teeth marks are generally left in the skin — 



K 2 



