CH. XXXIV. TRACKS OF DEER. 227 



some execution with his first shot ; and sure enougli 

 he had riddled two most effectually. 



The place where the ducks had been feeding was 

 a bright green spot in the midst of the snow, caused 

 by the spreading of the waters of a fine unfreezing 

 spring. Around it, also, were the tracks of several 

 deer who had been cropping the green herbage, and 

 had evidently sunk to their knees at every step 

 which they made in the soft ground. Two snipes 

 also rose while we were picking up our ducks. 



As we ascended higher the river grew more 

 rapid, and was the only object in our view which was 

 not perfectly white. Having finished our frugal 

 luncheon, and swallowed a modicum of whisky, we 

 again " took the road," as Donald was pleased to 

 express it, although road there was none. 



The grouse had entirely disappeared, and we saw 

 no living creature excepting a pair of grey crows, 

 who alighted under the bank of the river. " There 

 will be more of those fellows there,'' said I. " Deed 

 ay, sir ! do you mind those that we saw at first 

 starting ? they all came up this gate, and we've seen 

 none of them. I'd like weel to get a good shot at 

 them." We therefore went quietly on to the place, 

 the crows being quite- concealed from us by the 

 bank. On looking over it cautiously, there they 

 were, indeed, a whole flock of those most mischiev- 



