OF HUNTING A STAG. 85 



water, and there either lies down or stands panting 

 till his enemies catch a view of him. It is the stag 

 who, without being blown or exhausted, has run just 

 enough to make him think it is time he dodged his 

 foes who gives the most trouble. If he can put up 

 fresh deer close to the water he is exceedingly likely 

 to go to the stream on the same line as the fresh 

 deer, who will probably have gone across, and go 

 down steam, leavino; the fresh deer to draw on the 

 hounds. 



A deer will usually follow a stream in the direction 

 in which it is going w'hen he takes to the v/ater, but 

 it is a favourite trick to go only a little way up or 

 down, land and run a ring on shore, and, coming to 

 the water again, go in the other direction. This 

 probably induces a long cast up or down stream. In 

 casting along the water side it is well to keep some 

 hounds on each side and some in the stream, for 

 scent may often be found on an overhanging bough 

 or on a stone. 



Those who are riding by the water when hounds 

 are being cast along it should keep a vigilant eye on 

 all the dark corners under the bank, for a deer will 

 lie still with nothing but his nose above water, and 

 let hounds go close by him. Hinds are peculiarly 

 clever at this, and the time they can remain sub- 

 merged in an icy-cold stream is something extra- 

 ordinary. This stratagem, when restored to by 

 beaten deer, means, if unsuccessful, a kill in a few 

 minutes, as they rapidly become stiff in the water. 



