226 FOREST CREATURES. 



at gaze. In the chapter on the stag is also an account 

 of one that was close to me for some time before the 

 drive began, watching quite motionless to see what was 

 going on. On another occasion, when several of us to- 

 gether were traversing the wood, we left one of our 

 number at a certain post, and hardly had we quitted 

 him when he fired. We found afterwards that, just 

 after he had reached the spot, a stag that was in the 

 thicket stole forth ; but he being all attention perceived 

 it, and with one shot stopped his career. These are 

 incidents, it is true, which do not often happen ; but 

 that they happen at all is sufficient reason to be prepared 

 for them. 



When taking up your post anywhere to await 

 game, at once scrape away with your feet the dead 

 leaves or dry twigs which may be lying on the ground 

 where you stand. You cannot stay long without some 

 movement, and the dry brittle leaves make a loud rustle 

 in the stillness as you tread upon them in changing 

 your position. An old stag is never precipitate : he will 

 come on very stealthily, stopping every moment to 

 listen ; and an ill-timed movement of your foot might 

 be sufficient to make him turn away in another direc- 

 tion. For, by some means or other, game distinguishes 

 between the sounds produced by natural causes and 

 those yoii may chance to occasion. A stone set in 

 motion by the thawing warmth of the sun will frequently 



