GOOD SPOET. 223 



Now had they passed the moss, and attained the rocks 

 on the summit, and were sitting down behind a large block 

 of granite ; they laid the rifles on the ground, pulled off 

 their caps, and wiped their foreheads Tortoise held his 

 watch in his hand ; it wanted five minutes of the time for 

 starting the deer. Again and again he looked at the slow 

 progress of the minute-hand : it was just on the point; it 

 has passed it ; the deer then must be in motion : a short 

 space he gave them, to get forward, that he might be secure 

 of the wind ; then, snatching up a rifle in one hand, 

 Jamieson following him with another, he waved his hand 

 to Lightfoot, got quickly forward, and clambered up a rock, 

 where all posted themselves aloft. 



They had not been in this commanding position five 

 seconds before the deer came racing below them over the 

 naked ground, at an easy distance. When Lightfoot saw 

 the hinds, who were leading, he was in the act of raising 

 his rifle, but his arm was immediately arrested by Tortoise, 

 who continued to hold it with a significant look, but in 

 silence. Now came one of the wonderful harts ; he was a 

 stupendous animal, very sleek in his coat, and had royal 

 antlers ; that is to say, three points on each horn. " Take 

 him," said Tortoise, letting go his friend's arm ; " and fire 

 well forward." 



The old rocks of Cairn-cherie rang to the rifle sound ; the 

 deer slackened his pace, and then stood still. This shot 

 had scarcely been fired, before another monster came in 

 view. Tortoise levelled; the fatal trigger was pulled, 

 the hart catch ed his side, stood for a space, and then went 

 slowly on with the rest. The third hart swerved a little 

 below the hill, and never came within distance. 



" Joy to you, my friend, your deer is safe enough, and so 

 is mine, I hope. Lie still, for Heaven's sake, or you will 

 spoil all ; he is sick he is dying !" 



The poor fellow stood for a short space, with his forelegs 

 extended ; his knees then bent a little ; his head rose and 

 fell alternately for a few moments ; his whole frame quiv- 

 ered, and down he sank to eternal rest. The pangs of 

 death were brief, but very painful to witness. They now 

 went forward, and the knife was plunged into him, when 



