EXTRAORDINARY RUN WITH A STAG. 139 



ten" in the forest of Chantilly. The preparations for the 

 chasse were the same as usual. In the morning they 

 had placed relays of hounds, in anticipation that if he 

 was driven to any distance from the forest, yet, being a 

 resident of that part of the country, he would inevitably re- 

 turn. It turned out, however, quite different to their expec- 

 tations. The stag, it is true, broke cover, but took a direction 

 straight across country, and ran clean away from the hounds, 

 leaving them so completely at fault that they were called off, 

 and the Prince de Conde, who rarely met with a similar 

 defeat, did not conceal his chagrin at the result. He 

 returned to the chateau lost in reflection as to this extra- 

 ordinary disparition, as no one could inform him towards 

 what woods or forests the stag had taken his course. 



Two months afterwards the valets des limiers, who fre- 

 quented the forest of Chantilly discovered traces of the 

 same stag. This is often the case with red deer. When an 

 animal fancies the feeding in a particular spot, he will con- 

 tinually return to it from almost any distance. 



" Monseigneur, the stag has returned." 



" This time," answered the prince, " we must take such 

 precautions that he will not escape us." 



Orders are given. They select for the relays the best 

 hounds from the vast and sumptuous kennels of Chantilly ; 

 the prince mounts the fastest and strongest of his horses ; 

 the most experienced piqueurs are appointed to inspect the 

 woods. 



By Saint Hubert, my fine stag, you will not escape all 

 the stratagems your enemies are employing against you ! 



The following morning the horns resound gaily in the 

 forest of Chantilly, the baying of the hounds is heard simul- 

 taneously, the horses are at full speed, the attack has taken 

 place. During three hours the stag makes the circle of the 

 woodlands ; at length he bursts cover, and leaving far behind 



