CHAP, xxxiv.] STAG AT BAY. 265 



rience in many hard-fought battles, they did not risk their lives 

 by rushing at his horns, but contented themselves by keeping 

 him there, while they now and then looked round at Malcolm, as 

 if to ask for his assistance. " Down, good dogs, down," he said, 

 when, seeing us approach, they seemed inclined to rush in. 



The deer now and then appeared anxious to break off, but 

 whenever he attempted to move, the hound nearest the direction 

 towards which he turned sprung in front of him, baying and 

 preventing his leaving the spot. 



Not seeing Donald and his gun, we consulted together as to 

 what was to be done, and at last Malcolm determined, by cau- 

 tiously attacking the deer from above with his stick, to make him 

 turn from the dogs, and give them a chance of fixing on him 

 without risk from his horns; if they succeeded, I was to run in, 

 and act as circumstances permitted, and, if possible, to help the 

 dogs by stabbing the deer in the throat. As soon as Malcolm 

 had commenced his part of the business, by going round the 

 deer, I called off the dogs in order that they should not be 

 trampled down by the first rush of the poor beast. They came 

 quite willingly, evidently placing entire confidence in our manner 

 of attack. Malcolm got just above the stag, and then flinging 

 his heavy stick at his legs, and shouting loudly, frightened him 

 so that he rushed out of the pool, passing close to me. 



" Now, then, good dogs, at him ;" and the next moment the 

 stag was tumbled over, with both hounds fixed on him Bran at 

 his shoulder and Oscar at his throat. I easily managed my part 

 of the affair, and pftt an end to the poor animal'- pain with my 

 hunting-knife. " Well done, Sir, well done," id Malcolm ; 

 " that was quickly finished." " Deed, ay," said Donald, who 

 just then came up, panting like a walruss. " No that bad either ;" 

 this being the utmost praise that he ever bestowed on any one. 

 The hounds, as soon as they saw that the st;tg was quite dead, 

 left him, and, lying quietly down, began to lick the bruises and 

 cuts they had received in the run^ luckily there were none of 

 any consequence. Every now and then one of the dogs would 

 get up, and, going up to the deer, examine him all over, as if to 

 satisfy himself that there was no life remaining. We examined 

 the dons' limbs to see that there was no serious strain or cut, and 

 then, after rubbing the dirt and blood oft' their skins, set to work 



