72 FORAYS AMONG SALMON AND DEER. 



burn, ever keeping out of sight and in a stooping 

 posture, and moving more slowly and cautiously as he 

 gained the vicinity of the game, lest he should create 

 an alarm even by turning a stone noisily. He had 

 crept, according to his own calculations, to within a 

 hundred yards of the spot, when he ventured to look 

 cautiously over the bank, but nothing could he see. 

 He advanced a few yards further, and then, on again 

 peering through the heather, what a sight greeted his 

 eyes 1 There before him lay the big stag, to all 

 appearance lifeless; but, as it might be only asleep, 

 he still moved silently. Again therefore creeping on, 

 under shelter of the bank, he once more looked up, and 

 found himself within twenty yards of the deer, still 

 lying motionless and undisturbed. He watched for 

 some moments, transfixed to the spot. He could not 

 approach nearer under cover, as the burn now took a 

 turn and receded ; but still he was in doubts whether 

 to step up to the animal at once, or to leave him till the 

 morrow, when he might return with his gun. While, 

 however, he was halting between two opinions, the stag 

 slowly raised his head, drove some tiresome flies from 

 his flank with his horn, and then lay down again at full 

 length on the heather. Rob saw at a glance by the 

 listless movement of the stag, that he was ailing in 

 health, and, drawing his hunting knife from his pocket, 

 he crept up the bank, suddenly sprang to his legs, and, 

 rushed in upon the animal, before it had time to 

 comprehend what was going on, seized hold of one 

 hind leg, and hamstrung it. The stag now wheeled 

 quickly round on its remaining leg, as on a pivot, and 

 threw Rob to the ground with some force ; but, pre- 

 pared for such an attack, he speedily rolled aside and 

 escaped unhurt. For a long while they stood eyeing 

 each other, the deer angrily shaking his head and 



