2G8 THE EASTERN HUXTERS. 



Still, Mackenzie was lazy, and disinclined to take 

 the trouble of going out in the afternoon in search 

 of deer. Norman and Hawkes, however, deter- 

 mined to tiy and get a venison-steak for dinner for 

 themselves, and, if possible, a good feed for the 

 beaters and villagers also. So, summoning the gun- 

 bearers, and an experienced man from the village to 

 act as guide, and show the haunts of the game, they 

 sallied forth in company. 



They had not proceeded far, before the villager 

 detected a herd of samber peacefully feeding on an 

 open slope, and a brief consultation was held re- 

 garding the best plan of circumventing them. It 

 was decided that Hawkes should stalk them, while 

 Norman made a considerable detour, so as to place 

 himself between them and the thick jungle, into 

 which, if they once entered, it would be useless to 

 follow. The men said that, if startled, they would 

 probably leave the open glades in which they were 

 grazing, and seek the denser coverts in a direction 

 he pointed out to Norman. This, accordingly, the 

 latter took, and soon established himself in a favour- 

 able position, trusting to their making towards him 

 after Hawkes had got a shot. Hawkes, meanwhile, 

 had gone to the further side of the deer, and ad- 

 vanced on them up wind. He had little difficulty 

 in approaching to within about a hundred and fifty 



