144 CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 



Hark ! a rustle in the wood, then a pause. Then 

 a rush, and then, in his full glory and majesty, on 

 the bank separating the wood from the field, stands 

 the noble animal ! Look at him — mark his full, 

 thoughtful eye — his noble bearing. Look at his 

 beamed frontlet — how he bears it — not a trace of 

 fear about his gestures — all dignified and noble, 

 yet how full of thought and sagacity. He pauses 

 for a minute, perfectly regardless of the hundreds 

 at the gate who gaze upon him, 



'Attentique ora tenebant.' 



You need not fear that he will be 'blanched,' that 

 is, headed, by the formidable array drawn up to 

 inspect him. He has too well considered his course 

 of action to be deterred from making good his 

 point. Quietly and attentively he listens to the 

 tufters, as with unerring instinct they approach — 

 'the cry is still, they come.' His noble head moves 

 more quickly from side to side — the moment for 

 action has arrived- — the covert is no longer safe. 

 He must seek safety in flight, and look to securer 

 shades wherein to rest. So he gathers himself 

 together to run his course, — 



' But ere his fleet career he took, 

 The dewdrops from his flanks he shook ; 



