DISAPPOINTMENT. 243 



into the hollow through which ran the burn, and then, 

 re-appearing on the further side with her other com- 

 panions, gently browse her way over the bank into 

 some sheltered ground beyond. And now in a moment 

 we were rushing helter-skelter to reach the bed of the 

 burn before any new movement should interrupt our 

 operations, hoping to be in time for a shot over the 

 bank. On taking a breath then in the burn, and 

 creeping forward for a view, what was our mortifica- 

 tion to find the game again absconded, and joined 

 apparently by the two deer whom the dog had alarmed 

 earlier in the day, all walking away in a manner that 

 foreboded but ill for our chance of getting a shot. It 

 was clear that, owing to the stillness of the day and the 

 unsteadiness of the little wind there was, they had 

 caught enough scent of us to be on the alert, though 

 not greatly alarmed ; and after watching them, and for 

 some little time following them, without succeeding in 

 getting nearer, we resolved, as the best of the day was 

 now past, and there were no signs of their again 

 becoming careless, to leave them without further delay, 

 and try some fresh ground. 



After a very forced march of a mile or two we came 

 in sight of deer feeding on a slightly rising eminence 

 at some distance from us. For a few minutes we lay 

 down to consult on the plan of operations, and then 

 with recovered wind and spirits began the stalk. A 

 slight detour had to be made to keep another rising 

 ground between ourselves and the game. Every now 

 and then we paused to peer over some crag, and then 

 hurried on again under shelter of the " banks and 

 braes." Everything went on smoothly ; the deer were 

 evidently a fresh herd, which had as yet been un- 

 disturbed. Each time we paused to reconnoitre, the 



