THE HERD TAKE ALARM. 81 



great distance above, behind the swell of the hill, and 

 doubtless has just shown them the top of his bonnet over 

 the sky-line ; but they are all going wrong, and do not seem 

 inclined to accommodate us." 



" They are not much alarmed, I think, for now they are 

 standing still, and the hind has walked back a few paces, 

 and is gazing up the hill again ; the others seem to watch 

 her motions, and to be guided by her judgment ; whilst the 

 harts appear to give themselves very little trouble about 

 the matter." 



"No, the lazy rascals ! but we may rouse yet. Yes, they 

 are alarmed, or, more properly speaking, suspicious. They 

 have that sort of discretion which makes them run away 

 in cases of danger ; but you can never frighten them out 

 of their wits with so small a force as ours. They are deli- 

 berately trying to make out what is going on before they 

 decide upon the direction of their retreat, and are too proud 

 to fly without evident cause. But just keep your eye upon 

 them ; Maclaren will not let them off thus ; he will make a 

 push for it at any rate." 



And so it seems he did ; for in a few minutes they turned 

 aside, and came a little way down the hill, gazing in a fresh 

 direction more towards the south. 



" By Jove, they are turning ! capital ! well done, Mac- 

 laren ! " 



" Why how the deuce now did he manage that ; and what 

 has made them alter their course ? Why, your men are 

 almost as clever as the deer : upon my life this is very 

 entertaining, especially now the herd are coming towards 

 us ; I feel my heart rioting and beating against the heather." 



" Doubtless, when he saw the deer going southwards, he 

 slipped back cannily behind the hill, ran like an antelope, 

 and then came in again over the sky-line, and showed him- 

 self partially more in front of them. Faith, I see him now 

 with my glass sitting very composedly on that crag that 

 hangs over the glen ; his legs seem to be dangling in mid 

 air. That is right, Maclaren ; let well alone. The deer 

 cannot see you, I know, my man, though we can. One point 

 at least is now gained ; for I am happy to tell you they will 

 never resume their first direction, for the slight dubious 



