178 SPORT. 



reconnoitre on the other side of the rocks, and to 

 my delight 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, my 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 revenge. 

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



