UNSUCCESSFUL SHOT. 189 



ascent, we suddenly came upon a hind and stag lying 

 in a snug hollow. Though we dropped to the ground 

 at once, and though the wind was blowing directly in 

 our teeth, the stag was evidently uneasy, and, rising 

 slowly from his lair, stood looking anxiously around 

 him. For nearly an hour we remained motionless and 

 prostrate, Gillespie alone watching the game. The 

 stag, he said, was but a small one, out of condition, as 

 indeed they always are after the rutting season, and 

 bearing but a poor head, while the hind was a very 

 fine animal, dark-skinned, and in full flesh. After a 

 short discussion therefore we agreed that it would be 

 best to secure the latter, as the more desirable for the 

 larder; and then retiring a few paces down the hill, we 

 turned round the angle of a rock, under the leadership 

 of Gillespie, to creep in upon them by the course of a 

 burn. Scarcely had we started when a storm of hail 

 came on, at first however not very severe, and we 

 continued on our way. Presently pausing, Gillespie 

 reconnoitred round the end of a block of stone. It was 

 now hailing very severely, and just as I glanced over 

 Gillespie's shoulder, the stag was disappearing down 

 the opposite side of the hill ; and the hind, unable to 

 face the hail any longer, was in the act of rising to 

 follow. What was to be done? Ten to one if we 

 should get them again in as good a position. Accord- 

 ingly, though full a hundred and twenty yards distant, 

 I instantly adopted Gillespie's suggestion", and putting 

 gun to my shoulder, and aiming as truly as the hail 

 dashing into my face would allow, I fired at the retreat- 

 ing form of the hind. The shot however appeared to 

 have taken no effect, and the rifle I had with me having 

 but one barrel, I was obliged to watch the receding 

 animal with feelings of disappointment and chagrin, 

 which were in nowise lessened when Walter, stepping 



13 



