166 EEMINISCENCES OF THE LEWS. 



So behind this rock we rolled ourselves. 



" He is moving down this way, master," 

 says John. 



" Very civil stag, indeed," said I, and I pro- 

 ceeded to load my rifle. 



" You had best be quick about it, sir," 

 says John again, ''for he is coming straight 

 down." 



"What a very queer, accommodating beast ! " 

 I repeated ; when, in a deep, tremulous voice, 

 Norman groaned out — 



" Ech, Lord ! if it isn't the tame stag ! " 



" Well, what's to be done ? " was my ques- 

 tion. 



" Kill him," says Norman. 



" I don't want to kill a tame stag ; not so 

 hard up for a shot as that ; so take my rifle 

 and kill him yourself." 



" I would not lay a hand on him for ony 

 sake," was Norman's reply. 



" Then do you shoot him, John." 



" I would not like to try, sir ; you know you 

 have your own rifle to-day, stocked for your- 

 self, and I can't shoot with it." 



Here was a quandary. 



" You had best be quick about it, sir," again 

 said John, " for he is coming down sharp, and 

 will be very near us directly." 



