FRESH DEER FOUND. 145 



expose ourselves to view, more than was absolutely 

 necessary, we started. 



For some time we hurried along one behind another 

 in a line ; now running, now creeping on all fours, and 

 occasionally pausing to recover breath, while our guide 

 took an observation from the shelter of a rock or bank. 

 Not a word was spoken ; and we therefore moved for- 

 ward, perfectly uncertain what a moment might bring 

 forth. In this way we had blindly followed our guide 

 for some time, when at length we made a long pause, 

 while he looked cautiously over the cliff in front. 

 From the business-like air with which he performed 

 the operation, I suspected that we must be getting near 

 the game, but was scarcely prepared for his inter- 

 rupting me, as I was just about to speak, with the 

 words, " An ye speak they'll be hearing ye." I very 

 quickly however sprang to my feet, and then he 

 whispered to me that the deer were within shot. It 

 was now arranged that I should creep forward to have 

 the first chance, Walter being close behind, to put in 

 mVfire immediately after. Creeping therefore gently 

 along the rock, I slowly advanced my gun over its 

 edge, and then myself cautiously peered into the hollow 

 below. What a sight greeted my eye ! Within sixty 

 yards were two stags and a couple of hinds, feeding fear- 

 lessly, in total ignorance of our vicinity. It seemed 

 cruel to mar the happiness of such a scene, and yet the 

 opportunity was not to be lost. I aimed at the largest 

 stag, and fired. The effect produced was curious. 

 Confused by the echoes, which rebounded from the 

 rocks in eveiy direction, and utterly uncertain in what 

 quarter the enemy was situated, the four animals 

 rushed together, and stood as though in deep consul- 

 tation, forming a most beautiful group, and still within 

 an easy shot. My ball did not appear to have taken 



