A TYRO'S DISTRESS. 143 



oyster diver, he knows not why or wherefore. Thus the 

 wretched felicity-hunter follows as best he may 



" O'er rocks, caves, fens, bogs, dens, and shades of deatb, 

 A universe of death." 



One while his leg is wedged in amongst tenacious stony 

 fragments, and at another he comes suddenly upon a deep 

 chasm that fills his soul with unaffected apprehension. 

 Meanwhile the deer-stalker goes on at a persevering killing 

 pace, saying, " This way, this way, sir ; " and never look- 

 ing behind him to ascertain whether his patient is in his 

 ground or not ; his words die away amongst the winds, 

 and never reach mortal ear. Then, behold, when the deer 

 come suddenly in view, he tells the staggering and breath- 

 less sportsman to shoot, always running forward himself, 

 and placing his proper body (to say nothing of his flowing 

 kilt) precisely in a mathematical straight line between the 

 rifle and the harts, which he expects you to kill. Pleasant 

 this to you ; and, if in the excitement of the moment you 

 obey his command, awkward enough for him ! In getting 

 a quiet shot, things may possibly be managed better, as to 

 one part of the transaction ; for if your adjutant will place 

 himself between you and the deer (as right certainly he 

 will), you may pull him back by the heel ; or if you be not 

 sufficiently powerful to make a good drag of him, you 

 may admonish him in a friendly way, by a mesmeric in- 

 sinuation of your gun-picker into the calf of his leg. You 

 are not permitted to speak ; and what else can you do ? 



You must by no means conclude, however, that your 

 attendant means you any thing but the most cordial kind- 

 ness, his zeal and fidelity in favour of those whom he 



