THE SECOND DEATH. 147 



sufferings, when he should reach the shore. Presently, 

 however, finding himself within his depth, the creature 

 stopped, and though I waited for some time, he did not 

 appear disposed to advance any further ; wearied there- 

 fore of waiting, I put my gun to my shoulder, and 

 resting it steadily on the rock, aimed close to his ear 

 and fired. The ball entered the animal's brain, and 

 falling gently over without a struggle, he floated on his 

 side, a lifeless corpse. 



Thus, in a few moments I had slain one stag, and 

 given the finishing blow to a second. The sun had 

 now sunk below the horizon, the moon was shining 

 brightly over head, and a sharp frost was crisping the 

 heather and grass, while my own clothes were becoming 

 unpleasantly stiff and cold. Reluctant therefore to 

 plunge into the chilly waters of the loch, I left the 

 carcase to float for awhile, and sat myself down, until 

 Walter and Gillespie should arrive. Presently I heard 

 their voices, as they came down the hill, and in a few 

 moments they were at my side, have " gralloched " 

 my stag, and deposited him safely in a snug cleft of the 

 rock, until further assistance in removing it could be 

 procured on the morrow. 



On seeing the second animal dead and floating in the 

 loch, Gillespie gave vent to his "feelings in sundry 

 rapturous expressions and animated gesticulations; 

 then stepping into the water, regardless alike of wet 

 and cold, he quickly brought the body ashore. To drag 

 it to the shelter of a neighbouring cliff, and there cover 

 it with stones and heather, was but the work of a few 

 moments. Then taking a " nip " of whisky all round, 

 we started for the cottage in high spirits and at a brisk 

 pace. Though the day had been long and tiring, and 

 we had yet fully seven miles before us, the walk proved 

 most enjoyable. The night was very beautiful, and the 



