218 HIND AND FAWN. 



" After a lump of lead," quoth the otter-killer, " had made 

 a fracture in the hide ;" and he pointed to the orifice in the 

 skin, where evidently a ball had perforated. 



" Alas !" said the Priest, " the snow is always fatal to the red 

 deer. They are obliged to leave the upper range and come 

 down the villages : * and there are, unluckily, too many of the 

 old French guns in the country still, and then they are unfor- 

 tunately busy. 3 ' 



By the by, speaking of the snow, a very curious circum- 

 stance occurred, during its long continuance in 1822. 



A fine hind, accompanied by a stout fawn, travelled across 

 the lowlands in search of pasturage, which the deep snow had 

 rendered unattainable in the mountains. Pressed by the 

 severity of the weather, she at last established herself in a 

 green field which was within sight of the windows of the 

 Lodge. For four weeks, during which the storm continued, 

 she remained there in safety ; for the wild visiters were pro- 

 tected by the commands of " the Master" : and from being 

 undisturbed, continued in the place they had first selected. 



Thinking that they would be a valuable addition to Lord 

 Sligo's park, my kinsman determined to have them captured, 

 and the following Sunday was appointed for the attempt. 

 This day was selected, because the number of persons col- 

 lected at the chapel would materially assist the execution of 

 the plan. 



The day came, and the whole population of the parish was 

 employed. The place was surrounded by a multitude of 

 people, who gradually reduced their circle, until the deer 

 and fawn were completely enclosed, and a cordon of living 

 beings was formed, two deep, around them. The hind had 

 remarked the preparations, and more than once attempted 

 an escape ; but, embarrassed by the fawn, her efforts were 

 abortive. She appeared determined to share its fate, and 

 affection was paramount to timidity. At last, when totally 

 surrounded, her courage and address were almost incredible. 

 She eyed the circle attentively, made a sharp peculiar noise, 

 as if to warn her offspring of its danger, then charging the 

 ranks where they appeared weakest, bounded over the heads 



* By a village a very few houses are denominated, and a stranger would 

 be sadly disappointed if he formed his ideas of their extent on the English 

 scale. 



