DEER-STALKING 61 



find for ourselves the herd that was pointed out 

 to us when our guide rose to his feet and shut up 

 his glass with the unconcerned air which at that 

 stage of the proceedings is part of the stock-in- 

 trade of every stalker. There they were, nearly a 

 hundred deer, as it seemed to me, scattered too 

 much scattered, alas ! over a green spot on the 

 hillside opposite, not far from the summit level. 

 There were some shootable beasts among them, 

 and it would not be difficult to get within shot ; 

 but we must lose no time, as they were all stand- 

 ing up and moving about, very restless, after the 

 storm. There was no need to press us we were 

 young and in good training and we dashed along 

 after our leader, copying his every movement in 

 the most approved style, and rather sorry that we 

 were allowed to remain erect, and could not ford 

 a river or crawl through a bog to show our zeal 

 for the sport. I cannot honestly describe any 

 moving incidents of the stalk. I have since had 

 a good many days in the forest, but I hardly ever 

 remember an easier approach. The wind was 

 right, and all we had to do was to make a long 

 de'tour, climb the back of the steep peak opposite, 

 and come over the summit level under cover, right 

 upon the deer, which (as all know) are much 

 easier to get at from above than from below, or 

 on the level. It was a long walk and a stiff climb, 

 but that was all, and we were soon looking down 

 upon a forest of horns, breathless and excited, but 



