THE STALK. 139 



greatest circumspection and vigilance ; pausing con- 

 tinually, to see exactly where to go next, and watching 

 lest the deer, having changed his position, should sud- 

 denly come in sight and discover us. 



Whilst occupied in this way, and running forward 

 across an open bit of ground, a sudden movement of 

 Gillespie's brought us all to our knees ; and slowly 

 raising our heads, we beheld three deer, a calf, a hind, 

 and a stag, feeding leisurely and unsuspiciously, 

 rather less than a quarter of a mile to our front. 



We now paused to recover breath, and make sure 

 that the deer were not alarmed. After sitting for a 

 few moments, we again looked up, and still they were 

 evidently unsuspicious of our vicinity. Their heads 

 were all turned away, and the stag's wide antlers were 

 visible projecting beyond his haunches on either side, 

 as he slowly grazed along. Deer generally feed down 

 the wind, an arrangement by which they can scent 

 everything in the rear, while their acute vision detects 

 everything to the front. On the present occasion, 

 however, this order was reversed, and the deer com- 

 pletely off their guard, which gave us a great advantage. 

 The stag having a fine head, we cast to the winds all 

 thoughts of the previous object of our manoeuvres, and 

 proceeded to stalk the game before us. 



The ground being too open to admit of an easy 

 approach, we commenced operations by creeping 

 slowly forward on our hands and knees. But our 

 progress, though slow, was sure; and we found our- 

 selves gaining ground without detection. At length 

 when almost within shot, and with our guns cocked, 

 prepared for immediate action, Gillespie, who was 

 creeping just in advance of me, suddenly paused, and 

 touching me on the shoulder, pointed significantly to 

 the right; there to our utter confusion and disappoint- 



