196 



A TOUCH OF " DEER-FEVER. 



Suddenly, about twenty paces in front of me, the 

 brushwood opened, and out of it leaped a magnificent ten- 

 antlered stag, who stationed himself in the middle of the 

 avenue, and stood there in statuesque dignity. A feverish 



" HE STOOD THERE IN STATUESQUE DIGNITY. 



agitation thrilled through my entire frame ; I was seized 

 with the disease known in the United States as the deer- 

 fever, an emotion very natural when one finds oneself 

 close to an enormous beast. When I mechanically raised 

 my gun, and discharged the trigger, the vision had 

 disappeared, the reality was no longer aught but a dream. 

 Borne on the wings of the wind, the stag had thrown 

 himself between two hunters : their four barrels had proved 

 useless; and he dashed into the middle of the plain, 

 flying at his utmost speed to escape from a neighbourhood 

 so dangerous as ours. 



The dogs recovered the scent, and we followed in their 



