156 TRAVEL, ADVENTUKE, AND SPORT. 



And now, whilst I've been giving all this good 

 advice, " little Duncan " has been waiting impatiently 

 at "the stable." Pacing up and down in front of the 

 door, every now and then he raises his glass, and 

 takes an anxious look down the road. 



" They're terrible late this morning," he mutters ; 

 for Duncan had been up at daybreak and already 

 knew where they were. 



The day seemed further advanced to him than to 

 me, for I was punctual almost to a minute. About 

 half- past eight I jumped out of the trap. 



"Well, Duncan," I asked, " any chance to-day?" 



" There is a good chance, sir," he said, quietly. 



I saw he was not disposed to lose any time ; so, 

 giving him the rifle, I put my sandwich and cartridge 

 case in my pocket, and taking my stick, we were off 

 in a couple of minutes. I was sure by his manner 

 he had something definite in view ; and going up the 

 hill, he gave me the information I knew would be 

 forthcoming before we had gone far. 



" I have seen some deer this morning, sir," he said, 

 "near the march; we will not lose much time." 

 And spying the ground in front and on either side, 

 to see that we were leaving nothing behind or driv- 

 ing anything before us to take those we knew of off 

 our dominions, we made for " the river " as rapidly 

 as possible. 



" Could you see what the deer were like, Duncan ? " 

 I asked, presently. 



