THE DOCTOR MAKES A LONG SHOT. 181 



scoop-out, while they were on the opposite side ; and 

 as there was scarcely any cover on either, it required 

 considerable engineering to get even within long 

 range. From where we Avere it was impossible to de- 

 termine how many stags were among them, or the 

 size and character of their antlers. There was only 

 one point near the edge of the marsh where two or 

 three small evergreens were standing, which if one 

 could reach it might afford a chance for a shot if the 

 deer kept moving on parallel with the opposite crest 

 of the ridge, provided we were not scented or seen. 



After looking the situation over carefully, Le Buffe 

 and the writer began the approach by taking advan- 

 tage of everything in the shape of cover which it was 

 possible to use; and after a tedious and circuitous 

 route we at last reached the evergreen trees. As the 

 deer were feeding along very slowly, and were un- 

 conscious of our presence, we had ample time to ex- 

 amine them carefully through the glass before they 

 came to a point opposite us. We were not long in 

 selecting from among some half dozen stags the one 

 which appeared to have the best pair of antlers, and 

 was the nearest to us. There was a large bowlder 

 which looked as if it had been at some time dropped 

 by an iceberg about opposite where we were, and we 

 calculated the distance to be between 275 and 300 



