A LONG DEER HUNT. 321 



clear of the ground." There was no gainsaying such 

 conclusive evidence, and with renewed ardour we 

 sharpened up the pace of pursuit, alternately changing 

 places, one being constantly on the look-out while the 

 other tracked. Once or twice we got sight of the deer, 

 but too far off, or for too limited a period, to shoot ; 

 but the view was always cheering. Forward we 

 pressed, exultingly hoping that each minute would 

 finish the hunt ; but the deer thought otherwise, for 

 he was of a most unaccommodating disposition. Soon 

 it became apparent that the confounded brute was tra- 

 velling the same circle, and that, unless we altered our 

 plans, we might be kept going till dark ; but as we 

 were not disposed to work harder than necessary, it 

 was agreed that I should drop behind and take up my 

 stand beside the most eligible place, while Will con- 

 tinued the pursuit with the hope of driving our wily 

 foe past my ambush. Though the plan was well de- 

 vised, it failed in execution ; for after an hour's tedious 

 delay my companion rejoined me, disgusted and dis- 

 pirited, heaping anathemas upon the foe, pronouncing 

 him to be one of the very ugliest brutes he had ever 

 come across. After all our trouble, it would never do 

 thus to be defeated ; so I proposed doing the track- 

 ing while he took a stand, at the same time changing 

 guns at his request. 



