28 FORAYS AMONG SALMON AND DEER. 



several ribs. Behind us lay the broad bosom of the 

 ocean, calm and smooth, iuterlapping with the land in 

 many a bay and estuary, and dotted with the red sails 

 of the herring-boats, which formed a bead-like chain, 

 running in festoons along the line of coast. 



With such a panorama laid out betore us, we had 

 reached, before we were aware of it, the point at which 

 we were to descend at once into the birch woods. 

 Here we paused, that Donald might explain to us the 

 tactics we should adopt. There were two woods, 

 separated by a glade about fifty yards in breadth, down 

 which leapt a mountain torrent, its banks too precipi- 

 tous and wide apart for even a deer to leap, save at one 

 spot marked by a huge boulder-stone. Here, there- 

 fore, the deer would be sure to cross, if driven out in 

 that direction ; there was also a pass at the other end 

 of the wood, by which they were in the habit of taking 

 their departure if forced that way, though they natu- 

 rally avoided the open, and took to the second wood, if 

 possible. The plan therefore was, that while the two 

 gillies were beating the cover, we should occupy these 

 two spots with our guns. Withdrawing our balls, we 

 loaded with buckshot, as more suited to the game ; 

 and, as Walter did not purpose joining me in this par- 

 ticular branch of sport after the present occasion, I 

 gave him the choice of stations ; and he accordingly 

 took his stand at the boulder-stone, while I took the 

 pass at the further end. 



At the time agreed upon, when we were all supposed 

 to have had sufficient time to reach our several posi- 

 tions, the beating commenced. For some time nothing 

 was heard ; and then a loud shout proclaimed the game 

 afoot. My heart now began to beat audibly ; for, of 

 course, I did not know which way the game might be 

 making, and in a moment it might shoot past and 



