OUR FIRST STAG. 25 



Walter as yet had not fired, thinking my ball was 

 enough ; but on Donald's energetically bidding him to 

 fire, he sent two almost random balls after the stag, 

 one of which broke a fore leg, and the noble beast fell 

 over, never to rise again. My ball had passed (as we 

 afterwards found) through the fleshy part of his heart, 

 and thus, though not instantly, caused his death. He 

 was indeed a noble beast six points on one antler, 

 five on the other and proud we were of our success, 

 though it had come so late. Walter and I struck 

 across the hills at once for the cottage, to take our 

 breakfast, leaving the three men to follow at their 

 leisure with the stag. 



Thus, though our inexperience led to an egregious 

 blunder, which spoiled our sport, yet we learnt a lesson 

 that would deter us from committing it again ; and 

 increased experience should lead to proportionate 

 success. 



