THE CHANCE OF A LIFETIME 111 



several minutes, but dared not move until they 

 had disappeared from sight in one of the hollows 

 between us and the Black Loch. I seized the 

 rifle and crawled across the small plateau we 

 were on and was in position in a few seconds, 

 and almost immediately they emerged from the 

 hollow into 'which they had disappeared, and as 

 they were very blown they stood for two or 

 three seconds undecided whether to come on or 

 turn back. However, they decided for the wood, 

 and came on at a very slow trot, which soon 

 subsided into a walk as they had evidently had a 

 long gallop and were frightfully blown. This 

 gave me plenty of time to make up my mind 

 which to take, as they all had goodish heads and 

 seemed about the same weight. Finally I decided 

 on the last, as it seemed rather the best head, and 

 Thow evidently thought the same, as he whispered, 

 " Take the last." It was an easy shot, as, though 

 they were moving, they were only about 50 or 60 

 yards away, and I got him all right. Unfor- 

 tunately he did not drop at once, but went on for 

 a few yards and then rolled over and I saw he was 

 safe; but those few seconds prevented my getting 

 a right and left, as the other two were almost out 

 of sight and over the pass, and my second shot 

 was a very hurried affair and I was just behind 

 No. 2, and so the chance of a lifetime was gone. 

 Had I been very nippy I believe I might have got 

 all three; I certainly ought to have got two, but 



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