of the Old World. 223 



deer were afoot, and each internally wished that they 

 might break sufficiently near to give him a shot. 

 From time to time the crashing of branches informed 

 us that the herd were close at hand, and each pre- 

 pared to raise his deadly weapon, but again and again 

 they broke back. At last an enormous buck-elk, with 

 widely-spreading antlers, summoned resolution to 

 leave the cover, and came tearing through the bushes 

 with mighty elastic bounds some distance to my right, 



and within easy range of W and K , who 



let drive double shots with apparently little effect, for 

 he continued his course without relaxing his speed for 

 a moment. I tried to get a shot as he was bounding 

 away, but could not catch sight of him on account of 

 intervening bushes, when the old Major, who was 

 quietly seated on his right heel, with his left knee 

 thrown well forward, and his left elbow resting upon 

 it (the best position for steady shooting), let fly 

 right and left ; and although I could not see the stag, 

 I knew from the double " thuds " I heard that both 

 shots had taken effect " Hurrah ! he 's down, boys !" 

 vociferated the gallant old soldier, as he sprang to his 

 feet, and picked up his second rifle ; but before he 

 could raise it the stag had regained his legs, and a 

 slight undulation in the ground prevented his getting 

 another shot. "Bravo, Major!" I exclaimed; "you 

 'wiped the youngster's eyes' beautifully, and made 

 a couple of excellent shots, for both were over two 



