DEER-STALKING. 197 



to conduct the stalk. Having pointed him out to 

 me — still with bated breath and deferential tone as 

 one who speaks of a superior being — he explains 

 that, "only for that beastly hind" — indicating some 

 half a dozen of these watchful pests on the hill- 

 side opposite to that on which the stags are feeding 

 — we could easily " get in " down a burn below us. 



Having reconnoitred as far as we dared in this 

 direction and waited in vain some time for the 

 chance of these obstructors moving, we sadly re- 

 linquish the hope of gaining the longed-for shelter' 

 of the burn which would have led us in below them, 

 and turn back for a weary march round the hill 

 to come in above them, — '' A much more ticklish 

 job ! " as Donald remarks with his usual pride 

 when he produces what he considers a real English 

 expression ; and indeed, when the march round is 

 accomplished, so it proves. 



The stags are lying down, just on the top of a 

 ridge below us, separated from the higher ridge 

 from which we are now spying them by a wide, 



