322 



THE BARA SING. 



ion, so ascended to the top of the ridge, and moved 

 along that downwards. Mooktoo and I went ahead of 

 the others, and all took posts of observation. We two 

 ere long saw a stag, in all probability that just seen. It 

 appeared as though he would cross the ridge we were on 

 far below us, so we hastened to intercept him. The ridge 

 was sharp and rough, hardly giving space for the foot ; 

 but on we hastened, turning to the left as the ridge 

 diverged at a right angle ; now down some precipitous 

 steps of rock, and we were over the dingle in which we 

 had last observed the deer evidently making in this 

 direction. We could not examine our side thoroughly 

 from its roughness and extreme steepness. We could see 

 nothing of the deer. Had he already crossed over ? If 

 so, he must have greatly quickened his pace. We went 

 on a little, and then descended the slope a few yards to 

 get a better view of the depths extending below us. 

 Here I sat down, intending to await events, but Mooktoo 

 urged me to go up again, and follow further on the ridge. 

 We did so ; but nothing could be seen of the deer. So, 

 supposing he had in some manner given us the slip, we 

 turned back, and were crossing the place where we first 

 expected to meet him in his ascent, when little Sara, 

 sniffing the air, all at once started off, taking short jumps 

 into the air, and barking. Mooktoo ran after the dog, 

 and in great excitement signalled the chase close at hand. 

 The little dog gave tongue. I ran forward but nothing 

 was in sight. I paused for information, when from the 

 bottom of the dell sounded the belling of the deer a 

 peculiar note, expressive, I fancy, of alarm and excite- 

 ment. Only his head and back were visible above the 

 high, thick fern. I hesitated to fire. He moved on up 

 the opposite side, and as he paused, only showing his 

 head and ridge of back, I fired. We thought him 



