114 NEWFOUNDLAND 



the scenery till an exclamation from Sandy, and the direction 

 of his gaze, caused us to turn our eyes towards a large open 

 marsh about half a mile below. There was a white-neck 

 stepping out proudly like Macgregor on his native heath. 

 He seemed to carry fine horns, so Saunders and I made 

 all haste to head him for a nearer inspection. 



This was not quite so easy as it looked, for the stag 

 was walking down-wind very fast and had already a con- 

 siderable start. Moreover, a small forest rose about a 

 quarter of a mile in front of the deer, and for this he was 

 making to lie up for the day. We had to run, and run 

 fast, over the worst kind of bog, into which we frequently 

 sank to our middles ; but, on the other hand, the chase 

 lay downhill, and this was a distinct advantage to us. 

 When we came within 400 yards of the stag I saw him 

 looking about uneasily, so told Bob to sit and await my 

 return, and, making an effort, ran right past and headed 

 him. The sun was playing upon him, and I saw by his 

 alert carriage and quick movement that he was not quite 

 adult. His head, too, which looked fine from above, now 

 underwent a considerable reduction on closer inspection. 

 The brows and the bays were first class, but he carried 

 only a snag on the left brow and the tops were short and 

 undeveloped, so I let him pass by unmolested. 



After this diversion we tramped for the whole day to 

 examine the country to the south. The farther we travelled 

 the worse the going became, till at last walking became a 

 considerable effort. It was some time, in fact, before we 

 could get back to the high and dry ground, from which 

 we could alternately spy and cook our dinner ; but nothing 

 more was seen, so we returned to camp feeling that a hard 

 day's work had been accomplished. 



