RETURN TO THE CABIN. 



71 



antlers were expanded as fully as my arms would extend; 

 his height was magnificent ; and, compared with fallow-deer, 

 he seemed a giant to a dwarf. The sun beamed upon his 

 deep bay side, as he continued describing a circular course 

 over the flat surface of the moor, till reaching a rocky opening 

 leading to the upper hills, he plunged into the ravine, and 

 we lost sight of him. 



What could have driven the red deer so low upon the 

 heath was marvellous. Excepting when disturbed by a 

 solitary hunter, or a herdsman in pursuit of errant cattle, or 

 driven from the summit of the hills by snow and storm, those 

 deer are rarely seen below the Alpine heights they inhabit. 

 But the leisure pace of the beautiful animal we saw to-day, 

 proved that he had not been alarmed in his lair, and led one 

 almost to fancy, that in freakish mood he had abandoned his 

 mountain home, to take a passing glance at the men and 

 things beneath him. 



At five o'clock, we left the moors, and returned to our 

 cabin. The day throughout had been propitious ; the breeze 

 tempered the heat which yesterday oppressed us, and our 



