WARWICK WOODLANDS. IGl 



gave tongue, however, nor did a rustle in the brake, or 

 any sound of life, give token of the presence of the game — 

 louder and nearer drew the shouts — and now Harry him- 

 self began to doubt if there were any truth in Jem's re- 

 lation, when suddenly the sharp, quick crack of Forester's 

 rifle gave token that the game was afoot — a loud yell frorn 

 that worthy followed. 



"Look out! Mark — back — mark back!" 



And keenly Archer did look out, and warily did he 

 listen — once he detected, or fancied he detected, a rustling 

 of the underwood, and the crack of a dry stick, and drop- 

 ping his reins on the horse's neck, he cocked his rifle — 

 but the sound was not repeated, nor did any thing come 

 into sight — so he let down the hammer once again, and 

 resumed his silent watch, saying to himself — 



''Frank fired too quick, and he has headed up the brook 

 to Jem. If he is forward enough now, we shall have him 

 back instantly, with the hounds at his heels; but if he has 

 loitered and hung back, 'over the hills and far away' is 

 the word for this time." 



But Jem was in his place, and in another moment a 

 long whoop came ringing down the glen, and the shrill 

 yelping rally of the hounds as they all opened on a view 

 together ! Fiercer and wilder grew the hubbub ! And now 

 the eager watcher might hear the brushwood torn in all 

 directions by the impetuous passage of the wild deer and 

 his inveterate pursuers. . 



"Now, then, it is old Tom's chance, or ours," he thought, 

 "for he will not try Forester again, I warrant him, and 

 we are all down wind of him — so he can't judge of our 

 whereabouts." 



In another second the bushes crashed to his left hand, 

 and behind him, while the dogs were raving scarcely a 

 pistol-shot off, in the tangled swamp. Yet he well knew 



that if the stag should break there it would be A 's 



shot, and, though anxious, he kept his eye fixed steadly 

 on his own point, holding his good piece cocked and ready. 



"Mark! Harry, mark him!" — a loud yell from the Com- 

 modore. 



The stag had broken midway between them, in full 



sight of A , and seeing him, had wheeled off to the 



right. He was now sweeping onward across the open field 



