370 WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



Everything goes well, and those who are watching below 

 suddenly observe a solitary head and antlers clearly defined upon 

 the sharp outline of the hill-top. Then another, and another, 

 until single deer are multiplied and the crest of the hill is covered 

 with a display of deer, stags and hinds confused together ; other 

 stags in company ; and a few hinds some 50 yards or more in 

 advance, to reconnoitre, before the main body will venture upon a 

 general forward movement down the mountain side. 



It is highly interesting to watch the caution of the hinds ; how 

 they regard the view before them, how they scrutinise the right 

 and left, and leave nothing unobserved. Then perhaps the wary 

 old hind herself advances alone, and trots along the face, regarded 

 anxiously by every deer of the vast herd, all confident in her 

 qualifications as a pilot. 



By degrees she becomes satisfied, and she walks briskly down 

 the hill, followed by about twenty other hinds ; these form a kind 

 of advance guard, followed by a number of stags, and a mixed lot 

 of all kinds, as they feel that no danger exists in front. 



In this way they descend the hill, and shortly afterwards the 

 sky-line will be occupied by a line of sentries in the shape of 

 keepers and gillies, who, having successfully driven the deer before 

 them, now stand as though on parade upon the ridge, their duty 

 having been well performed. 



The work is not yet over. Great care is now required. The 

 keepers must not descend too hurriedly, but only remain standing, 

 and show themselves to encourage the forward movement of the 

 deer. They are now nearing the bottom, and in a few minutes 

 will be splashing through the shallow waters of the Tilt. A few 

 fine harts are following a parcel of cunning hinds, which have halted 

 a dozen times before they reached the bottom. These are already 

 belly-deep in the water, wading across the river; the harts are 

 following, and are near the stream. Suddenly a puff of smoke, 

 then another, from a raised portion of the heather ! A stag falls, 

 and the astonished herd rushed frantically to the right ; another 

 puff of smoke from a hidden box rolls over another stag. 



A rush takes place in all directions : some force a passage across 

 the river, several falling to successful shots as the fire is opened 

 from every box that is available ; some deer break back and 

 reascend the hill. Now the active rifles which have advanced in 

 line with the keepers throughout the drive run nimbly forward, 

 and endeavour to intercept those animals which are determined to 

 break through the converging line of drivers. 



At length the drive is over. The main body of the deer have 



