THE SURPRISES OF THE HILL 37 



reflection of the encircling mist for a moment, 

 as she realised the wild relief of the end of the 

 chase. 



The men saw only a big old stag who had 

 given them an exciting run, waiting now to be 

 gralloched and dragged down to where the 

 deer pony was waiting below ; she saw more, 

 for that motionless body meant to her an- 

 other free pass in the future to the sport on 

 the hills she loved so well, the renunciation of 

 which none but its lovers can fathom. 



The rest of the day's work was quickly done, 

 with many a laugh and word between the 

 three, a sharing of the remains of the luncheon 

 bag, and a health all round from the flask. 



Such are the surprises that the hills hold in 

 store for those that seek them out. A morn- 

 ing, brilliant with sun, a cloudless sky, 

 ground swarming with deer, long waits on the 

 sun-kissed earth with the whispering songs of 

 the wind in her ears ; then the quick stalk 

 after a sudden discovered stag, the difficult 

 shot, the sudden mist, the clouds of despair, 

 the blind run, the dog's quickness, the re-dawn 



