270 THE EASTERN HUNTERS. 



bing gallop, which now became slackened to an easy 

 canter. Suddenly, however, as Norman watched 

 them, they divided into two parties, and, racing at 

 full speed, dashed off to the right and left. In the 

 same moment almost, a little blue puff of smoke 

 broke from the thicket, and the wounded stag rolled 

 over headlong. Another little puff, and the last 

 hind of the same detachment staggered, ran a little 

 forward, and rolled over also. This was quickly 

 succeeded by the double crack of Norman's rifle, 

 and Hawkes knew that a brace of samber, right and 

 left, had fallen before his friend's unerring aim. 



" Hoorah ! old fellow ! Well done ! " he shouted, 

 waving his cap. " A royal shot ! " 



" Shabash ! " exclaimed the astonished villager. 

 " Two found death in one moment. I never heard 

 of such excellent shikar ! " And the fellow was 

 wrought to a pitch of genuine enthusiasm as he 

 thought of the abundant meal he should, in all 

 probability, that evening dispose of. 



Though Norman was too distant to catch Hawkes's 

 words, his shout, and the waving cap, attracted his 

 attention as he emerged from his ambush and ap- 

 proached the fallen game. He answered with a 

 wave of his hand, and then stooped to inspect the 

 stag. 



Hawkes, who had now reloaded, was on the point 



