238 CHASE AFTER A POACHER. 



parcel of deer, which ought to have come down, had got 

 the wind of some one on the moor ; the point and manner 

 of their starting was marked by the hill-men, and two of 

 them, suspecting foul play, went forward to examine the 

 ground. One of these men held a lurcher in the leash. 

 After exploring the moor for some time, they came to a 

 deep ravine. Still they saw no one. But, in following 

 its course a little way, the lurcher held back, stretched 

 forth his neck, and gave a low growl. At this unequivocal 

 sign, one of the men clambered down, and discovered a 

 hind that was newly killed; and as he was advancing 

 under a projecting mass of rock, out bolted a kilted man 

 with a gun in his hand : hot pursuit immediately com- 

 menced. The poacher went right up the chasm, down 

 which fell a considerable quantity of water ; the man, who 

 had descended, followed after him, whilst the other who 

 held the dog remained at top, ready to cap him when he 

 came out. The pursuit was close and hot; the poacher 

 cutting out good work ; the pace, however (owing to the 

 nature of the ground), was a bad one in itself. But who 

 can make rapid way up a stony cataract ? They scrambled 

 and splashed, and fell forward on their hands, and cut their 

 shins, climbing over masses of rock that were lying in the 

 channel, and jumping from them into the water-course, till, 

 at length, the Duke's man got hold of the delinquent's foot 

 as he was just springing from a rock above him. 



"Haud him fast, Donald, mon dinna louse him 

 dinna let him gang-awa at ony gait." 



"Na fear of aw. The de'il a mon ever got frae me 

 when it aince came to close grips." 



He was completely mistaken, however, for the fugitive 



