THE PRODIGAL STAG 65 



The men, however, did not seem to see it in the 

 same light, so we left it to be retrieved by its 

 mother, who was probably not far off. That 

 evening my host said we certainly should 

 have brought it in, as so late a calf was sure 

 to die on the hill ; therefore, if ever I find 

 another, home it comes. 



A little farther on we came across the most 

 magnificent clump of white heather I have 

 ever seen. It measured over a foot in 

 diameter, and its white and green were really 

 beautiful. To find it on such a day of ill luck 

 was rather a mockery, though till I left the 

 hillside and reached the Lodge, at the back of 

 my Scottish, superstitious mind lingered the 

 hope I might run across my wounded stag, 

 but when night fell, and despair reigned, I 

 vowed that never again should white heather 

 be an emblem of good luck to me. 



" All hurrycomes of Satan," astheEasterns 

 say ; my impatience had to wait. 



By the roadside " Long John " was stand- 

 ing with the pony and deer saddle. He was 

 a great tall creature with one eye, and had 



