DEER STALKING. 107 



word for it; I dare say he is there, since you say so. And 

 now explain to me how you mean to get at him; communi- 

 cate, my good fellow; for it seems, by all your caution, 

 that even at this distance vou dare not show a hair of your 

 head." 



" Creep back there behind the hill, whilst I mark the very 

 spot in the burn which is opposite his lair. Well, now, I 

 will tell you : we must go all round by the east, behind yon 

 hill, and then come up at the notch behind yon two hills, 

 which will bring us into the bog; we can then come for- 

 ward up the burn, under cover of its bank, and pass from 

 thence into the bog again by a side-wind, when we may take 

 his broadside and thus have at him; so let us make the 

 best of our way. It would be quite easy to get at the hart, 

 if it were not for the hinds on the top of the hill ; but if we 

 start them, and they go on belling, the hart will follow them 

 whether he sees us or not. Get your wind; he cannot. 

 Maclaren, you will remain here, and watch the deer when I 

 have fired. Sandy, follow you at a proper distance with the 

 dogs ; and come you along with us, Peter, and take the rifles. 

 And now, my lads, be canny." 



The party then advanced, sometimes on their hands and 

 knees, through the deep seams of the bog, and again right up 

 the middle of the burn, winding their cautious course accord- 

 ing to the inequalities of the ground. Occasionally the seams 

 led in an adverse direction, and then they were obliged to 

 retrace their steps. This stealthy progress continued some 

 time, till at length they came to some greensward, where the 

 ground was not so favourable. Here was a great difficulty; 

 it seemed barely possible to pass this small piece of ground 

 without discovery. Fraser, aware of this, crept back, and 

 explored the bog in a parallel direction, working his way like 

 a mole, while the others remained prostrate. Returning, all 

 wet and bemired, his long, serious face indicated a failure. 

 This dangerous passage, then, was to be attempted, since there 

 was no better means of approach. Tortoise, in low whispers, 

 again entreated the strictest caution. " Raise not a foot or 

 a hand; let not a hair of your head be seen; but, as you 

 value sport, imitate my motions precisely ; everything depends 

 upon this movement; this spot once passed successfully, we 



