DEER-STALKING 193 



portion of which I feci sure the stag is to be 

 found, and to my great joy we discover him on 

 the edge of a snowfield about 300 yards above us. 

 He is lying down, but not dead, as I half-expected 

 to find him, and, most favourable sign of all, for 

 us, deserted by his escort. Still, as I cannot tell 

 how far he may be incapacitated from the use of 

 his locomotive powers, and as there is nothing so 

 watchful — poor brute ! — as a wounded deer, extreme 

 caution is necessary to " get in " at him. The 

 ground, however, is favourable, and I contrive to 

 get within 100 yards of him, when I unfortunately 

 dislodge a loose stone, which clatters with horrid 

 disturbance of the stillness down the steep below 

 me, when he rises and walks languidly across the 

 snow, turning his head towards me. Ah me ! I 

 can see the sort of piteous look now, as if con- 

 scious of my presence and purpose. The distance 

 is full far for the "toy," as he passes about 130 

 yards off, but he offers a fair broadside shot, in 

 full relief against the white background, and I am 



o 



