( '^n ) 



and if he happen to be of equal prowefs with 

 his rival, tlhe conflidl is obftinate. But a 

 weak adverfary foon feels the ftrength of his 

 opponent. He cannot refifl his pufh. His 

 flanks give way ; and he is prefently driven off 

 the field. 



At thefe feafons of riot the ftag is faid to 

 be dangerous. If therefore in paffing through 

 the foreft, you fee him at a diflance in your 

 path, you had better avoid him by turning 

 a little to the right, or left. If you do not 

 approach, he will not purfue. I have heard 

 old forefters however fay, they did not re- 

 member an inftance of his ever doing vo- 

 luntary mifchief at any time -, and allert that 

 he will always avoid the pallenger if he 

 can. 



But it is on all hands agreed, that he 

 is highly dangerous, when hard preffed by 

 the hounds, and driven to extremity. When 

 the chafe is well nigh over — when that elaftic 

 vigour, with which at firft he bounded along 

 the plain, is changed into a heavy gallop — 

 when his mouth becomes black and dry — 

 his tongue hanging from it — and his eye 

 marked with horror and difmay, (cruel, furely, 



T 3 to 



