CH. XXVI. WOUNDED STAG. 1]1 



and loaded the gun he carried as quickly as he could, 

 he had waited till the stag passed within twenty yards 

 of him ; that he then fired both barrels, one at his 

 head and neck ; that one ball had broken off a 

 portion of the animal's horn, while the other had 

 passed through his body, tumbling him over for a 

 moment ; but that he had quickly recovered and 

 made off in my direction, and was probably now 

 in the burn over the next hill. " But you are aye 

 smiling. Sir ; and I ken weel that you've seen more 

 of the brute than you tell me." I told the old man 

 exactly where he was ; and having made him quite 

 understand the very rock he was behind, I gave him 

 the rifle to finish the work he had commenced, while 

 I sat down with the two dogs in full view of the 

 pool, in order to keep the attention of the stag 

 occupied. 



" Now then, Donald,*' take care; don't be in a 

 hurry, and hit him in the heart or the head." 



" No fear, no fear ; if I put out," said Donald, 

 " ye needna mind, the beast is as gude as killed 

 already." 



Then taking a prodigious spoonful of snuff to 

 clear his brain, and divesting himself of his game- 

 bag and other encumbrances, he set off. He reached 

 a mound within thirty yards of the stag, and lying 

 flat on his stomach, with his rifle resting on the bank, 



