A HIGHLAND AMBUSCADE. 



201 



we were posted, to enable them to arrange their movements 

 according to our plans. 



I will not pretend to describe the anxious, nay agonizing 

 hour that I passed in this highland ambuscade. The deep 

 stillness of the waste was not broken by even the twittering of 

 a bird. From the place where I lay concealed, I commanded 

 a view of the defile for the distance of some eighty yards, and 

 my eye turned to the path by which I expected the deer to 

 approach, until to gaze longer pained me. My ear was 

 equally engaged ; the smallest noise was instantly detected, 

 and the ticking of my watch appeared sharper and louder than 

 usual. As time wore on, my nervousness increased. Sud- 

 denly a few pebbles fell my heart beat faster but it was a 

 false alarm. Again, I heard a faint sound, as if a light foot 

 pressed upon loose shingle it was repeated. By Saint 

 Hubert, it is the deer ! They have entered the gorge of the 

 pass, and approach the rock that covers me, in a gentle 

 canter ! 



To sink upon one knee and cock both barrels was a 



moment's work. Reckless of danger, the noble animals, 

 in single file, galloped down the narrow pathway. The hart 



