56 MY SPORTING HOLIDAYS 



behind him. He is forward, lest a cunning stag may 

 break over the top of the fjeld. Now deer are on 

 the move. Yes, here comes a hind and her family 

 a yearling and a calf out of the belt, across the 

 glade and over the burn fortunately up wind 

 within 30 yards of the rifleman, who, sitting abso- 

 lutely motionless, is not seen. The deer pass on 

 out of the drive, and one danger is avoided. An in- 

 cautious movement might have turned them back 

 and spoilt the chance of a following stag. 



Now, in the main belt of woods that are being 

 driven, can be heard an occasional whistle from the 

 advancing line. Blackgame are flying along the 

 pine-tops, and two fine old capercaillie cocks from 

 the highest wood sail majestically across the valley 

 to a distant hill. See, here come three deer round 

 the edge of the lake ! Two surely are stags. 

 They disappear in the belt opposite, and appear 

 again suddenly, trotting hard, 80 yards or so to 

 the right. Now for a stroke of genius. First 

 comes the leading hind, then two eight-point stags. 

 To take a shot at the first stag as they approach the 

 burn is a quick business, and the second stag will 

 turn back at once, spoil the rest of the drive, and give 

 no chance of a shot. Thus the desired right and left 

 will not be obtained. Our canny sportsman therefore 

 lets them cross the burn and disappear behind a 

 hillock. The opposite hillside is steep. They are 

 out of sight. He rises and goes stealthily to the 

 brow behind him just in time. The hind has passed, 

 and the leading stag, seeing a gray shooting-cap rise 

 over the ridge 50 yards to his right through the 

 trees, stands for one second, and instantly an express 

 bullet crashes through his ribs. Ten yards further 



