DEER STALKING. 233 



with which we approached the verge, permitted us, 

 without alarming them, to view the red deer leisurely. 

 They appeared to have been, as yet, undisturbed, for 

 after cropping the herbage for a little, the younger stag 

 and the hind lay down, while the old hart remained 

 erect, as if he intended to be their sentinel. 



The distance of the deer from the ridge was too 

 great to allow the rifle to be used with anything like 

 certainty ; and from the exposed nature of the hills 

 at either side, it was impossible to get within point- 

 blank range undiscovered. Hennessey had already formed 

 his plans, and drawing cautiously back from the ridge 

 he pulled us by the skirts, and beckoned us to retire. 



We fell back about a pistol shot from the cliff, and under 

 a rock, which bore the portentous name of Craignamoina,* 

 held our council of war. 



There were two passes, through one of which the deer, 

 when roused and driven from the glen, would most 

 likely retreat. The better of these, as post of honour, 

 was, more politely than prudently, entrusted to me — 

 my kinsman occupied the other ; and Hennessey, having 

 ensconced us behind rocks, which prevented our ambush 

 from being discovered, crossed to the other side of the 

 ridge, and I lost sight of him. Meanwhile, the boy had 

 been despatched to apprize the drivers that the deer 

 were in the ravine, and to notify the spot where we were 

 posted, to enable them to arrange their movements 

 according to our plans. 



I will not pretend to describe the anxious, nay, 

 agonizing hour that I passed in this highland ambuscade. 

 The deep stillness of the waste was not broken by even 

 the twittering of a bird. From the place where I lay 



* Anglice, the rock of slaughter. 



