22 6 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



Nothing short of the landing of a French army or a 

 smuggler could occasion such confusion. The chamber 

 of state is invaded, rifles are uncased, shot exchanged 

 for bullets, a basket with refreshments packed : all is 

 hurry and preparation, and in an incalculably short 

 time we are ready for the fray, and in full march for the 

 mountains. Shakespeare, or he is belied, was in his 

 youth a deer fancier, and he would probably describe 

 this busy scene by " loud alarum, exeunt omnes.'' 



The day is particularly favourable, the sun shines 

 brilliantly, the sky is without a cloud, and if we even 

 miss the deer, I trust that the prospect from the mountain- 

 top will more than repay our labour in ascending it. The 

 party comprises three guns and some ten or twelve 

 drivers, with our guide. My kinsman and Hennessey 

 have rifles ; I am no marksman with a bullet, and I 

 declined to take one, and therefore must put my trust 

 in honest John Manton. We bend our course directly 

 to the mountain cleugh, where the deer were seen by 

 the peasant ; but when we reach the base of the hills, 

 we must diverge to the left, and make a considerable 

 dttour, and, judging from the appearance of the heights 

 to be surmounted, we have work cut out, which, before 

 our return to the hut, will tell what metal we are made 



of. 



Nor is the garrison during our absence left without 

 protectors. The colonel, the priest, the otter-killer, 

 and old John, there keep watch and ward. The former 

 twain appear to have sworn eternal friendship over a 

 three-legged table, and are settled tete-a-tete at either 

 side of the cabin window, with all the requisites for 

 fabricating flies displayed before them. Antony is 

 greasing his otter-trap beside the fire. He still indulges 



