SEPT. ESCAPE OF DEER. 295 



more frantically than before, and looking up we 

 were just in time to see him fling his stick at another 

 stag, who had risen from the same spot and had 

 cantered away in a contrary direction, passing almost 

 close to the beater. Like the first stag, too, he 

 managed to keep his great body out of our view as 

 long as within shot, although he almost ran round 

 the man, as if perfectly understanding the difference 

 between two double-barrelled rifles and one walk- 

 ing-stick. We afterwards ascertained that the two 

 deer had been lying in a small hollow of the ground 

 at the foot of a single birch-tree, which stood a little 

 in advance of the main wood. They must have 

 been lying with their heads close to the ground, 

 hoping to escape being seen ; and there they re- 

 mained until they perceived that the beater as well 

 as ourselves were walking directly towards them. 



. In taking up a position near a wood which the 

 men are about to beat for deer and roe, the sports- 

 man should go as cautiously and quietly as if he 

 was stalking a deer on the open hill, as nothing will 

 drive either stag or buck near a spot where he has 

 discovered or suspected that any concealed danger 

 is awaiting him : rather than do so, he will pass 

 within reach of the sticks of the beaters, having, 

 like human beings, a far greater dread of an un- 

 known danger than of one which he sees, and knows 



