62 DEER AT BAY IN A MOUNTAIN CATARACT. 



at one leap went plumb down to the abyss below ; the 

 rocks closed in upon his flanks, and there he stood, bidding 

 defiance in his own mountain hold. 



Just at the edge of the precipice, and as it seemed on 

 the very brink of eternity, the dogs were baying him 

 furiously ; one rush of the stag would have sent them 

 down into the chasm ; and in their fury they seemed 

 wholly unconscious of their danger. All drew in their 

 breath, and shuddered at the fatal chance that seemed 

 momentarily about to take place. 



Fortunately the stag (sensible perhaps of the extreme 

 peril of his own situation) showed less fight than wounded 

 deer are apt to do ; still the suspense was painfully ex- 

 citing, for the dogs where wholly at his mercy, and, as 

 he menaced with his antlers, they retreated backwards 

 within an inch of instant dissolution. 



"For Mercy's sake, Lightfoot, stay quietly behind 

 this knoll, whilst I creep in and finish him. A moment's 

 delay may be fatal ; I must make sure work ; for if he is 

 not killed outright, deer, dogs, and all, will inevitably roll 

 over the horrid precipice together. Ah, my poor, gallant 

 Derig!" 



" May your hand be steady and your aim true ! for 

 my nerves are on the rack, and yet I must own that it 

 is the most magnificent sight I ever beheld ; bayed by two 

 furious animals, and with the death-shot in his fair body, 

 the noble the mighty-hearted animal still bears up 

 undaunted." 



Tortoise listened not, waited not for these remarks, 

 but crept round cannily, cannily, towards the fatal spot, 

 looking with extreme agitation at every motion of the dogs 



