LEAVES FROM A GAME BOOK. 157 



Now, though it has taken but a short space to 

 narrate the death of these three stags, it must not be 

 overlooked we had had two stalks, a run in, and three 

 beasts to gralloch, so by this time it was past 

 two o'clock. Edmund, however, was downright blood- 

 thirsty that day, for, as we finished a hasty lunch, 

 he sprang to his feet, saying, " Well, sir, all last 

 season no one rifle could get more than three beasts 

 in the day to himself, but I think we shall manage 

 to beat that to-day, so we will start whenever you 

 are ready." 



Nothing loath, I was on my legs at once, but in vain 

 corrie after corrie was searched, for not another beast 

 could we find, while by half-past four we had explored 

 the whole of our beat and were reduced to turning 

 back. At this Edmund was quite depressed and down- 

 hearted, in which feeling I could not bring myself to 

 join, for three good stags in one day was quite sufficient 

 sport to send me home rejoicing. Thus it was then that, 

 as we turned our faces towards the Lodge, Edmund began 

 to spy afresh in all directions ; but his trouble was in 



