66 LEAVES FKOM A GAME BOOK. 



" Tak' that yun, you'll get no other," said Donald, as 

 he pointed to a good shootable beast broadside on ; but 

 I was so vexed that I declined his advice, and sat 

 watching the hinds join the stags, while the whole herd 

 ambled suspiciously away. In the meanwhile the full- 

 cocked rifle was held in readiness to take any chance at 

 the big stag. At last, his head showing clear of the 

 crowd, crack I crack ! both bullets were sent pinging 

 after him, with no other effect than putting the. whole 

 herd to a violent gallop. It was an almost impossible 

 shot, and though recognising that fact, yet a feeling of 

 utter disgust took possession of me. Mechanically I 

 reloaded, not with any intention of firing again, but 

 from pure force of habit. An old hind led the herd, 

 who suddenly, for no apparent reason, turned sharp to 

 the left, taking the whole lot with her ; and now, instead 

 of going away end on, they were crossing us some 

 200 yards distant in almost single file, each stag in 

 turn presenting his broadside. Recognising the altered 

 position of affairs, hope revived in me as Donald 

 whispered, " Steady, sir ; that's him, last but three." 



