A TRYING STALK. 417 



After loading his rifle, he motioned to his men to 

 remain where they were, and then went off with his 

 weapon at the trail, with the object of endeavouring 

 to work round till he got the mound between the 

 buck and himself. 



Making a considerable circuit, he managed to 

 bring a tree nearly in a line with the mound and 

 the deer beyond. For this he then made direct. 



Once, before he attained this position, the buck 

 who had been lying with its head and neck stretched 

 out in front and resting on the ground raised its 

 head, and eyed the distant figure. Norman, on 

 perceiving this, kept on walking, but partly away 

 from the suspicious creature. After a brief inspec- 

 tion, apparently satisfied, it resumed its former 

 position, and Norman reached the tree without 

 again exciting its distrust. 



All this had been simple and easy work ; but 

 now came the difficult task of approaching the deer 

 by a stalk behind the mound. 



The first fifty yards he saw would have to be, 

 gone over in snake fashion, and he prepared himself 

 for the exertion. 



Stopping the muzzle of his rifle with a piece of 

 cloth, to prevent the dirt getting into the barrel, he 

 lay down behind the tree. 



To a very stout man, or one deficient in wind, the 



