112 DEER-STALKING. CH. XXVI. 



he aimed long and steadily ; then, with sundry kicks 

 and contortions, screwing himself into an attitude 

 that pleased him more, he took another aim, and 

 then a good strong pull at the trigger — but in vain, 

 as he had not cocked the rifle. Without taking it 

 off the rest over the bank, he pulled back the ham- 

 mer and fired instantly, missing the stag entirely. 

 Donald was too astonished to move ; but not so the 

 stag, who jumped up and made off — going, however, 

 so stiffly and lamely, that I saw the dogs must bring 

 him to immediately. So I let them go, and in a 

 very short time they had the poor beast on the 

 ground, and were both fixed on him like leeches, 

 the bull-dog on his throat, and the pointer worrying 

 at his shoulder. 



" Bravo, Donald ! — well missed !" I could not 

 help calling out as I passed him, running as hard 

 as I could to help the dogs. The old man was not 

 long in joining me ; and the dogs were soon got off. 

 The stag was bled, and then examined all over to see 

 where he had been struck, 



" 'Deed, Sir," said Donald, pointing to the rifle, 

 '' she is as gleg and kittle to handle as " 



Here he paused as if at a dead loss for a simile ; 

 which I was obliged to help him to at last by sug- 

 gesting, " As your own wife, Donald." At which 

 he indulged in a low inward chuckle and a pinch of 



