DRIVING THE DEEK. 207 



and con which could possibly be foreseen had been 

 discussed, Hector started to retrace his steps along the 

 hollow in which we were seated, and then wheeling off 

 to our left, was to work his way along the back of the 

 hills, so as to enter the glen by the pass through which 

 the herd had come two hours ago ; and then if possible 

 to drive them in our direction. Meanwhile we crept 

 off to the shelter of some rocks which lay within a 

 long-shot of the pass through which, if driven as was 

 proposed, the deer would make their way. 



Here then we seated ourselves, in such a position as 

 would just command a view of the herd, as they lay 

 below, without exposing themselves. For a long time 

 we sat in silence, and the game continued motionless. 

 At length after a lapse of perhaps three quarters of an 

 hour an old stag rose and snuffed the air, with nose 

 pointed upwards, as though indignant at the interrup- 

 tion of his dreams ; and in another instant the 

 remaining fourteen with a sudden start sprang to their 

 feet and trotted to the head of a little knoll, whence 

 they had a view in the direction of the alarm. 



These movements we were of course prepared for. 

 It was evident that they had just caught wind of the 

 shepherd, but whether they would be induced to take 

 our direction or not remained to be seen. At this 

 moment the two leading stags sprang forward in the 

 direction of the pass by which they had entered, and 

 at the same moment Hector came in sight. He was 

 within a few yards of the deer ; but the two stags 

 boldly faced him, and notwithstanding his shouts, 

 rushed by and made their way off to the pass. The 

 remainder, however, thirteen in number, turned off, 

 and at a wild pace came rushing on in a long line 

 towards the pass within range of our rifles. 



