CHAPTER XXII. 



A LONG DEER HUNT. 



To kill deer, if you come across them, is easy enough, 

 or to knock them over if they are driven past your 

 stand is what any schoolboy can do, provided he keeps 

 cool ; but to stalk deer with success, alone and unaided, 

 requires as much practice, twice the experience, and 

 four times the cuteness and observation requisite for 

 any other description of field sport. 



I once knew a man who was pretty nearly master of 

 this art, and he could as well discriminate a good day 

 for deer stalking from an indifferent one as he could 

 a thoroughbred from a mustang. " No use going out 

 to-day, Cap./' he would say, in answer to an inquiry ; 

 " the woodpeckers have got their heads up, and the 

 deer are lying ; best stop at home ; " and best it always 

 was. Now, after acknowledging myself not to be an 

 expert, I hope the reader will deal gently with me, as 

 I am desirous of relating a little episode that took place 



