VIRGINIAN DEER. " 141 



bad put them on. At last, after turning a rock, the 

 pack dashed into the \Yood, and obeying a signal 

 •which bad been previously arranged, we placed our- 

 selves at about fifty yards' distance from each other. 

 I took shelter under an enormous oak, where I 

 stood so sheltered by the branches that no one could 

 see me. Straight before me was an open riding, and 

 altogether it seemed a very favourable position for 

 getting a chance at a deer. A feeling came over me 

 which every sportsman will readily understand, the 

 feeling of eagerness mingled with fear, as I balanced 

 the chances of getting a deer within shot against 

 those of having a stray ball through my own head. 



Suddenly, the brushwood was parted about twenty 

 yards off, and a magnificent "stag of ten" wallced 

 into the middle of the alley as placidly and securely 

 as you please. I was seized with a fit of nervous 

 agitation (in the States they call it stag fever) when 

 I found myself so close to the splendid game. I 

 raised my gun mechanically and pulled the trigger, 

 when lo ! the beautiful vision had disappeared, and 

 there was nothing but vacancy. On the wings of 

 the wind the stag had rushed between two others of 

 the party. Their double shots were as vain as mine 

 had been, and off he sallied into the open, making 

 the best of his way from so nois}', if not dangerous, a 

 neighbourhood. 



The dogs soon recovered the scent, and we were 

 at their heels. Now was the time for a grand display 



