FALLOW-DEER AT HOME 33 



wooded thinks, which slope down to the shore on 

 either side, while my companion takes his place 

 farther to the south, where he is almost certain 

 to get a shot, if, as is probable, the buck has not 

 left the cover which was his point in the morning. 

 A few old black-cocks, glossy enough, although 

 not in the full perfection of their winter plumage, 

 rise and fly lazily across to the mainland on either 

 side, and there is a fresh breadth of sea to explore 

 with the glass, more ruffled, because more ex- 

 posed to the now stiffening breeze. The main- 

 land on the west is some distance off; and the 

 nearest island on the same side, a rocky precipice 

 with hardly grazing enough upon it for a goat, 

 must be nearly a mile away. However, I have 

 not long to spend in contemplation, for, before 

 the hounds have begun to give tongue, I recognise 

 something brushing a path through the long 

 brackens below me, and a smart run brings me 

 within shot of the beast, galloping away as hard 

 as he can about 150 yards off, end on towards 

 me. Another moment and he will be out of 

 sight. Shall I shoot? At least I determine not 

 to repeat a feat accomplished some years before, 

 when I planted an expanding ball well between 

 the haunches of a deer in a similar position with 

 deadly effect, actually cutting off its tail, which 

 my companions proposed to present to me as a 

 testimonial, with a suitable inscription. Head or 

 nothing, here goes ! and the ball whistles between 



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