Deer-stalking. 135 



for upward of a quarter of a mile through mud and 

 grass to get a shot at a fine antlered buck. It fre- 

 quently happens that after a long stalk in this manner, 

 when some sheltering object is reached which you have 

 determined upon for the shot, just as you raise your 

 head above the grass in expectation of seeing the game, 

 you find a blank. He has watched your progress by 

 the nose, although the danger was hidden from his 

 view, and your trouble is unrewarded. 



In all wild shooting, in every country and climate, 

 the " wind" is the first consideration. If you hunt 

 down wind, you will never get a deer. You will have 

 occasional glimpses of your game, who will be gazing 

 intently at you at great distances long before you can 

 see them, but you will never get a decent shot. The 

 great excitement and pleasure of all sport consists in a 

 thorough knowledge of the pursuit. When the dew is 

 heavy upon the ground at break of day, you are strolling 

 noiselessly along with the rifle, scanning the wide plains 

 and searching the banks of the pools and streams for 

 tracks of the spotted deer. Upon discovering the 

 tracks their date is immediately known, the vicinity of 

 the game is surmised, the tracks are followed up, and 

 the herd is at length discovered. The wind is observed ; 

 dry leaves crumbled into powder and let fall from the 

 hand detect the direction if the slightest air is stirring, 

 and the approach is made accordingly. Every stone, 

 every bush or tree or tuft of grass, is noted as a cover 

 for an advance, and the body being kept in a direct 

 line with each of these objects, you approach upon 

 hands and knees from each successive place of shelter 

 till a proper distance is gained. The stalking is the 

 most exciting sport in the world. I have frequently 



