22 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



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 pres- 

 ently let us know the cause ; and on a little amphitheatre 

 about five hundred yards off, his profile in full relief, stood as 

 noble a stag as ever " tossed his beamed frontlet to the sky." 

 There he was, like knight of old, every now and then sound- 

 ing his trumpet of defiance, and courting the battle and the 

 strife. Nor did he challenge in vain, for while we were ad- 

 miring his majestic attitude, another champion rushed upon 

 him, and a fierce encounter followed. We could distinctly 

 hear the crashing of their horns, as they alternately drove 

 each other to the extremity of the lists. " I wish the ball 

 was through the heart o' one o' ye ! " muttered the under- 

 keeper. His wishes were soon to be realised ; for the younger 

 knight, who seemed to have the advantage in courage and 

 activity, at last fairly drove his adversary over the knoll and 

 disappeared after him. Robertson now rushed forward, sign- 

 ing to me to follow, and peeping cautiously over the scene of 

 contest, slunk back again, and crawled on hand and knee up 

 a hollow to a hillock immediately beyond I following his 

 example. When we had gained this point, he took another 

 wary survey, and whispered that the hinds were on the other 

 side of the knoll, within thirty yards. It was now a nervous 

 time, but I could not help admiring the coolness of the for- 

 ester. Without the least appearance of flurry, he had both 

 eyes and ears open, and gave his directions with distinctness 

 and precision. " That will do ; there goes a hind, the whole 

 will follow. Place your rifle on that stone, you'll get a famous 

 chance about eighty yards." " He'll come at last," he again 

 whispered, as hind after hind slowly passed in review, when a 

 roar was heard immediately below us. " As sure as I'm leevin', 

 he's comin' on the very tap o' us. Hold the rifle this way, 



