158 LEAVES FROM A GAME BOOK. 



vain, and we at length reached the edge of the range 

 of the forest hills. 



From where we stood we could see the Lodge some 

 3000 feet below us, a mere speck in the distance, 

 while so pretty and peaceful was the panorama stretched 

 at our feet that, being tempted to rest before commencing 

 the long descent, so tiring to the knees, we sat down 

 by a spring and lit our pipes. On this Edmund again 

 pulled out his spy -glass and in silence commenced another 

 search ; after some minutes I saw him give a start, 

 and all feelings of fatigue left me as he murmured, 

 "May be, sir, we shall get a fourth beast, for I see 

 a small stag feeding into sight on the top of the Eilig 

 burn, though I doubt if the daylight will last us." 

 I took the glass from his hand and soon found 

 the staggie, which was such a small beastie that I 

 immediately began to consider whether, after the good 

 day we already had had, it would not be more 

 sportsmanlike to leave him in peace. On imparting 

 these sentiments to Edmund, I found he had set his 

 heart on making up the four beasts, while he also 



