LEAVES FROM A GAME BOOK. 6& 



in front of us. Again it became a question as to 

 whether we could creep across the space between us 

 and this hillock without being detected by the hinds ; 

 we solved the problem by slipping quietly into a 

 deep burn, offering shelter sufficiently good to allow 

 us to get out of sight and reach the foot of the 

 hill, on the other side of which we expected to find 

 our quarry. Pulling back the rifle stops, I now crept 

 quietly upwards, with Donald at my elbow. We were 

 within a few yards of the top when an old cock grouse 

 flew off the very summit, crowing as noisily as he could. 

 '* Quick, sir — run up," whispered Donald, and together we 

 dashed forwards to crouch behind a big stone, only to 

 see the whole herd of stags packed together and heading 

 at a trot for my host's hiding place, which was about a 

 mile away. It was annoying beyond everything to be 

 beaten like this just as success seemed certain ; there 

 were, it is true, several good stags trotting off, offering 

 fair shots at about a hundred and twenty yards, but my 

 special prize — my Royal — was so covered by others I 

 could not even get a chance at him. 



