THE STAG IN THE RUTTING SEASON. 31 



saw it was all trampled on, the mud and earth pawed up 

 and scattered in all directions. So here I sat, and taking 

 out my shell began to have a little talk with whatever 

 stag might be in the neighbourhood. But before pro- 

 ceeding farther, I should tell you something of the aspect 

 of the country, and what this Lany Thai was like. You 

 must know then, it is a long, narrow valley, and on one 

 side are hills sloping gradually away upwards, to no very 

 great height, with trees and underwood here and there, 

 while occasionally a large open clearing enabled you to 

 see what was going on, and whatever game might be 

 moving about there. Well, it was this hill-side I had 

 opposite me ; as I sat waiting near the pool. But at my 

 back the ground was different. There the mountains rose 

 more abruptly, and to a greater height : it was rocky and 

 wilder — in short, more of a chamois country than the 

 other side. 



" So, as I said, I was bellowing away with my shell, and 

 it was not long before a young stag answered my call. 

 But just afterwards I heard a capital stag roaring furi- 

 ously; and presently, right away up the slope, about 

 five hundred paces off, some deer began to show them- 

 selves moving about. I looked and peered between bush 

 and tree in every direction to find the stag, when suddenly 

 I heard just above me from behind a sharp, long-drawn 

 Tis-sch V and a couple of chamois, who had been startled 

 by my presence, dashed away upwards. Hardly were 

 they off when down comes a stag from the mountain at 

 my back, and makes straight for the pool. Here was a 

 dilemma ! I knew a good stag was before me though I 

 had not seen him, and felt sure I should be able to 

 entice him near enough to get a shot. And just at this 

 moment comes the insignificant fellow right in my way ! 

 Were I to fire at him, the other good stag would be oft': 



