STALKING THE GKEAT DEER. 219 



for a space, tossed up his antlers, and, disdaining to follow 

 the servile herd, turned up the western face of the hill 

 where Tortoise was lying : as he went forward the rifle- 

 man advanced also, preserving the wind, and just keeping 

 sight of the points of his horns from over the brow of the hill. 

 The hill-men, seeing the favourable course he was likely 

 to take, did their utmost to make him persevere in it. 

 Every thing looked propitious ; but still it was uncertain 

 Avhether he would come out from the hollow at a favourable 

 point of the hill, or go over the easy swell, where it would 

 be impossible, from the nature of the ground, to come 

 within distance of him ; indeed, he seemed inclined to do 

 the latter. What an anxious moment was this for the 

 rifleman! Who can tell what hopes, and what dire 

 apprehensions shot rapidly across his mind, when he saw 

 the pride of the forest almost within his reach ? Forward 

 he came, bounding and pitching up the hill, casting his 

 broad shadow on the greensward, and followed closely by 

 his companions. As yet, his course is dubious; now he 

 bears more to the west, and races along, as it seems, rather 

 in sport than in fear; by heavens! he nears the rifle- 

 man : on for your life, and make your push ! With bent 

 body, but with rapid steps, Tortoise ducked down, slipped 

 suddenly back behind the eminence, and then went for- 

 ward at the top of his speed. The horns, which he never 

 lost sight of, are seen approaching the hill-top down 

 again crouched the rifleman for a moment, till the course 

 of the deer was decided; then another swift movement 

 below the hill brought him within distance, just as the 

 magnificent fellow had passed the summit, and was de- 

 scending into the opposite glen. 



