156 WILD LIFE IN NORTH CANARA. 



grew tall and rank almost breast high, 

 but on the hill-side it was short. 



My companions had withdrawn, to 

 watch another point, they said, but I 

 rather think they went to sleep, for 

 when at four o'clock a noble stag 

 which had been lying down in the 

 long grass near the wood rose out of 

 one of the depressions and stretched 

 himself, no one saw him but myself. 



I instantly sank down flat and drew 

 myself out of his ken. My plan of 

 action was obvious. I could lower my- 

 self on my back down the hill to the skirt 

 of the wood without coming into view ; 

 there would then be three little knolls 

 and hollows between me and the stag, 

 and as I crawled up the brow of the 

 third knoll, I should be within thirty 



