THE DEATH-SHOT. 183 



him through all his windings. Arrived at length at the 

 steep banks of the river, with one brave bound he gains the 

 centre of the stream ; and there he stands majestic and firm, 

 and in ready act to do battle. The hounds dash after him 

 as best they may ; fain would they attack him, but in vain 

 they stretch their powerless limbs: lightly does the hart 

 regard them, as they are swept to and fro by the rapids, and 

 can scarely hold their own. But when he finds the taint in 

 the air, and discovers sterner foes, he looks forward to the 

 free mountains before him, and again, breasting the flood, 

 strives every nerve to gain the heights of Ben-y-gloe. But, 

 alas ! it may not be, Douglas and Croinie gain fast upon his 

 traces ; and, after a rapid wheel, he plunges again into the 

 Tilt, and stops not, rests not, but down, down he goes, 

 through pool and over cataract, swimming, wading, and 

 rushing onward through the divided waters. The dogs, 

 close upon him, are borne down at times by the weight of 

 the flood, but rise up again to the surface, undaunted and 

 eager in the pursuit. 



At length, and almost at the departure of daylight, the 

 Duke comes forward with his good rifle ; one shot from that 

 unerring hand, an echo dying away through the mountains, 

 and see the fleet limbs fall powerless, and the dun carcase 

 goes floating down the stream, welling out the life-blood. 

 The current bears it onward rapidly, jostling against the 

 rocks, and wheeling in the eddies. In dash the kilted 

 foresters in gallant style, stemming the flood, and stretching 

 forth their arms in vain; their daring was perilous, girt 

 round and oppressed as they were with the waters ; but still 

 the deer bore past them, always just beyond their reach. 



But who is this coming forward with the ropes and 

 grappling-hooks ? Who but the excellent and trusty 

 M'Millan,* mounted on his sheltie, " and charming the 

 glen with fair feats of horsemanship." Gently now, my 



* John M'Millan entered the Duke of Atholl's service in 1791, as assistant- 

 fisherman to Duncan Kennedy. When Duncan died he became the principal 

 fisherman. He was a powerful man, and a most valuable and attached 

 servant ; but never could acquire skill in the ways of the deer. He rode 

 so awkwardly that he seldom mounted a pony without getting a fall. He 

 was unfortunately drowned in the Tay, near his own house, in January 7, 

 1836, at the age of 71 years. 



