LEASTS FROM A GAME BOOK. 165 



To this came the reply : " Hech, sir, but it's the 

 verra same beast I was hoping to get you a shot at. 

 You see, sir, it was like this : I hae so often seen 

 the sicht o' such a gran fellow mak my gentleman 

 all o'er of a tremble that I just telled ye it was but 

 a staggie we were after ; but surely, sir, ye did not 

 see him too, for he went out of sicht before I gave 

 you my glass." 



To this I answered : " Yes, Edmund, but he came 

 back again, and so I kept the matter dark, for I too 

 have sometimes seen the sight of such a splendid stag 

 make the best of stalkers rash, especially when he 

 had to do his work against time ; so we can laugh at 

 each other and cry quits over our thirteen-pointer ; 

 so now for a taste of Glenlivet before we drag him 

 down hill." 



It took us a good hour to haul our prize to the 

 pony, but, though aching arms and want of breath more 

 than once compelled a halt, all troubles were laughed 

 at, as we now cared not a jot how late we might be 

 in reaching home. , 



