60 NEWFOUNDLAND 



view behind us, and all six presently worked on to the main 

 lead straight up the southern woods and disappeared. This 

 episode caused a few minutes' delay, then once more we rose 

 and resumed our journey ; but on giving a final glance back at 

 the now distant river, I saw something moving on the edge 

 of the north woods, close to the water. This brownish- 

 grey thing resolved itself into a doe when the glass was 

 fixed upon it, but there was something else in the field of 

 my telescope. It was at first a shadowy grey spot, which, 

 as I kept the glass upon it, grew lighter and lighter as it 

 neared the edge of the woods, and eventually became white 

 as a patch of snow. 



"A stag, and a big one too," said Saunders and Jack 

 simultaneously. 



The grand old fellow came out of the forest with slow 

 and dignified steps. He stood a moment haughtily sur- 

 veying the open prospect before him, the sun shining on 

 his splendid horns. Without hesitation he took the river, 

 and, landing on the near bank, proceeded to shake a halo 

 of sparkling water from his hide. Then off he set to cross 

 the marsh, so I deemed it time to be going to meet him. 



A sharp run of four or five hundred yards took us to 

 "The Island," as we had christened a small clump of larch 

 and spruce in the middle of the barren. Here I left my 

 companions, and proceeded alone to crawl out on to the 

 marsh towards a certain stone, within easy shot of the lead 

 I felt sure the stag would traverse. Raising myself slightly, 

 I had the satisfaction of seeing the pair coming quickly 

 along. The doe well in front, looking uneasily from side 

 to side, the stag following with steady footfall, but apparently 

 indifferent to danger. They were all right, that was certain, 

 because the wind was blowing straight from them to myself. 



