178 SPORT. 



reconnoitre on the other side of the rocks, and to 

 my deh'ght find that I can advance to within fifty 

 or sixty yards of the deer without even a stoop ; 

 so, silently cocking my ** child's gun " as the old 

 hunter contemptuously termed it, I take up my 

 position, place my cap and handkerchief on a 

 convenient rock, and resting it on these, wait with 

 my heart thumping at my ribs with such vehemence 

 that I fear the deer may hear it, till the big 

 stag, who has his haunches to me at present, shall 

 turn and give me a broadside shot. He will not 

 do so for a long time, and when at last he does 

 turn and the sight of my rifle is steady just 

 behind his shoulder, the small stag, m}^ old enemy, 

 moves up and plants himself exactly in the way. 

 This occurs again and again ; in vain does the big 

 brother move to and fro, offering the most tempting 

 chances ; whenever he does so, so surely does this 

 provoking imp interpose his worthless carcase, till 

 I am almost inclined to shoot him out of revcnc^e. 

 At last, however, I get a clear aim at the big, 



