TRACKING THE WOUNDED STAG. 357 



he was following, and verified also the assertion of the 

 herdsman that the animal was wounded on the left side ; 

 for it was on this side always that the dog raised his head, 

 cautiously and with no overhaste, sniffing a straggling 

 bramble or trunk of a fir. Eventually he led us to the 

 clayey spot whither T had traced the footprints, and near 

 which the peasant had met the wounded animal. Here 

 the dog was also at fault. We took him down to the wa- 

 ter-course : he led us some way up the brook ; but after 

 smelling about for a time he gave up the search. It 

 was too much to expect that under such circumstances 

 he should follow the slot : indeed what could he do there 

 amid the plash of those eddying waters ? The good dog 

 had done his part well ; and indeed it was most interest- 

 ing to watch him, now ardent and impatient, pressing 

 forward against the leash when the scent for awhile was 

 good, now carefully doubling and again going over every 

 inch of ground when at fault, and making sure he was 

 right before setting off in a new direction. 



Indeed to watch a good bloodhound follow a wounded 

 animal, and observe how, if in difficulty, he seems to 

 weigh one probability against another, — to mark his 

 resources when at fault, and see how he will steadily keep 

 on the trail of the animal he is pursuing even though 

 crossed quite freshly by others, — this is one of the many 

 episodes in hunting life which are full of interest and 

 excitement. 



However some resolution must be formed, and a con- 

 sultation was held. 



It was the opinion of Hans that the stag, after being 

 driven back by the herdsman, had made a circuit, re- 

 turned to the brook higher up, and crossing it had made 

 for the forest. He was strengthened in his opinion by 

 having found some traces leading thitherward. Now I 



