94 AUTUMNS IN ARGYLESHIKE 



pool, quite shallow from an ordinary point of 

 view, but, as it has to be traversed at a flat crawl, 

 I emerge ready for any depth of sea above which 

 I can manage to hold the rifle, which I am carry- 

 ing still in its cover. 



And now, after worming my way for some yards 

 along a very slight dip in the rocks, mercifully 

 coated with soft seaweed, I come to perhaps the 

 most critical point in the difficult stalk before me. 

 The necessity of keeping oat of sight has led me 

 some distance almost at right angles to the direct 

 line between the high rocks and the game, to a 

 spot whence I can return along a channel which 

 is fortunately almost empty at this state of the 

 tide, and thereafter pursue a straighter and more 

 rapid course. But the channel has first to be 

 entered, and, though I have chosen the only 

 practicable point, yet flatten myself how I will, 

 some part of my clothing, which is fortunately 

 of an excellent colour for concealment, must for 

 a moment come into sight of the seals as I drop 

 over the nearer edge of the hollow. 



And, indeed, just as I am blessing my stars for 

 the safe accomplishment of a ticklish manoeuvre, 

 down come most of the waving hind-flippers, 

 up go all the dark shiny heads, and one great 

 brute gives himself a shove off which nearly 

 lands him in the water. He fortunately hesitates 

 on the brink, and after some moments of ago- 

 nising suspense, during which I dare not breathe, 



