PREPARATIONS FOR DEER-STALKING. 195 



our respected friend, has given unexpected pleasure. For me, 

 the visit is delightful, for I hope to obtain another lesson in 

 the " gentle art." The Colonel has embraced this "Walton 

 of the wilderness ;" a man on whom four bottles would not 

 show, and to whom, in woodcraft and theology, in the com- 

 mander's opinion, the clerk of Copmanhurst himself was little 

 better than a bungler; and, notwithstanding my kinsman's 

 delinquency in intercepting the despatches, and abstracting the 

 enclosure, he has escaped with a tap or two upon the cheek ; 

 for, as Antony declares, " Father Andrew dotes upon the 

 Master." 



But a shepherd in breathless haste has rushed into the cabin. 

 By expressive signs, and a few words, he has conveyed the 

 intelligence to Mr. Hennessey, that three outlying deer are at 

 this minute in a neighbouring glen. He saw them in a valley, 

 as he crossed the brow above. Nothing short of the landing 

 of a French army, or a smuggler, could occasion such confu- 

 sion. The chamber of state is invaded, rifles are uncased, shot 

 exchanged for bullets, a basket with refreshments packed : all 

 is hurry and preparation, and in an incalculably short time we 

 are ready for the fray, and in full march for the mountains. 

 Shakspeare, or he is belied, was in his youth a deer fancier, 

 and he would probably describe this busy scene by "loud alarum, 

 exeunt omnes." 



The day is particularly favourable, the sun shines brilliantly, 

 the sky is without a cloud, and if we even miss the deer, I 

 trust that the prospect from the mountain-top will more than 

 repay our labour in ascending it. The party comprises three 

 guns, and some ten or twelve drivers, with our guide. My 

 kinsman and Hennessey have rifles ; I am no marksman with 

 a bullet, and I declined to take one, and therefore must put 

 my trust in honest John Manton. We bend our course di- 

 rectly to the mountain cleugh, where the deer were seen by the 

 peasant ; but when we reach the base of the hills, we must 

 diverge to the left, and make a considerable detour, and judg- 

 ing from the appearance of the heights to be surmounted, we 

 have work cut out, which, before our return to the hut, will 

 tell what metal we are made of. 



Nor is the garrison during our absence left without protec- 

 tors. The colonel, the priest, the otter-killer, and old John, 

 there keep watch and ward. The former twain appear tQ 



o 2 



