DEER-STALKING. 173 



resolve not to make two bites at our cherry, and 

 calling in our outpost, we silently consume our 

 supply, reserving only a crust or a biscuit each for 

 some extreme contingency — I remarking with a 

 sanguine glee that we would sup on the fry of 

 the big stag, from which anticipation the ex-hunter 

 gravely dissents. That stag, he solemnly asseverates, 

 was not born to die by such a toy as my pea- 

 rifle ! But, he sardonically adds, I might try. I 

 might get a shot, which would amuse me, and not 

 hurt the stag ; and that we should have time after- 

 wards to get down to a scoter or mountain dairy, 

 if not home to supper. 



After keeping us waiting and watching several 

 irksome hours, the deer moved at last, getting up 

 and stretching themselves, and finally trotting down 

 the slope of the snow to the lower fringe of rocks 

 opposite us, where they disappeared over the ridge, 

 ** Good feeding ground below," whispered the old 

 hunter, who now began really to warm with excite- 

 ment ; and we hurry on over the snow with rapid 



