LEAVES FEOM A GAME BOOK. 161 



became uncertain as to wlietlier the object of our 

 pursuit was right at the bottom of the hill, or only 

 hidden from view by a projecting spur of rock. 



Just out of fun, with no intention of firing, I 

 put the rifle to my shoulder, when to my surprise 

 Edmund's long arm glided gently round me and 

 depressed the muzzle to the earth, while a hurried 

 whisper came to my ear, " There is another one just 

 a wee bit better." 



Now, as I also knew there was another and a very 

 much better one, I chuckled to myself at the thought of 

 the surprise it would be to Edmund if we succeeded in 

 killing the big one. The situation was, however, getting 

 critical, necessitating some decided move on our part ; 

 for it was growing so rapidly dusk that, unless the 

 small stag would kindly move out of the way, it would 

 be impossible to make a further advance without letting 

 him into the secret of our presence, in which event he 

 would be certain to impart his discovery to all his friends 

 below. For some precious minutes we remained immov- 

 able, while hoping the little brute would take himself 



