50 DEER- STALKING. 



mist from some of the lower hills. The quick eye of 

 Kobertson immediately discovered a deer lying down upon 

 the ridge of one of them. His glass was instantly fixed. 

 " There, sir, if you could manage that fellow, you would 

 have one of the finest harts in the forest." " Well, 

 suppose we go round by the back of the hill, and come 

 down that hollow, we should be within fair distance from 

 the rock." " If he'll only lie still, and give us time 

 enough." This, however, the stag had determined not to 

 do, for when we came to the hollow, he had risen from his 

 rocky couch, and was immediately detected by Robert- 

 son, quietly taking his breakfast, among his hinds, a con- 

 siderable way below. The place was so open all round 

 that it was impossible to get near him, and the mist soon 

 afterwards came on so thick that we only knew that the 

 deer were all round us by their incessant bellowing. The 

 forester looked much disconcerted ; for, in addition to the 

 mist, a drizzling rain began to descend. We sat down 

 behind a hillock, and I desired the under-keeper to produce 

 the provision-basket. " If there was only a breeze! 1 ' says 

 Robertson ; " and I do believe it's comin', for the draps o' 

 rain are much heavier." And so it proved, for the mist 

 again partially cleared. We hastened to take advantage 

 of the change; and Robertson, ten yards in advance, 

 mounting every knoll, and searching every hollow with 

 an eye that seemed to penetrate the very mist, suddenly 

 threw himself upon the ground, and signalled us to do 

 the same. A roar like that of a bull presently let us know 

 the cause, and on a little amphitheatre about five hundred 



