228 FOEEST CREATURES. 



the wood had been driven for red deer, after waiting- 

 long I lay down under a tree, thinking it was in vain to 

 expect the game any longer. Presently there is a 

 shout, " Look out ! The stag ! " and instantly, on the 

 slope immediately opposite, a magnificent stag emerged 

 cautiously from the thicket. Had I been waiting 

 properly, I should have brought him down on the spot, 

 instead of which a start from me sent him back again 

 into the wood, when the report of a rifle to my right 

 told me he had been shot. This happened nearly 

 twenty years ago ; yet I never think of my carelessness, 

 and of the splendid antlers of the noble stag thus lost, 

 without still feeling vexation and regret. 



Never leave the post assigned you until some pre- 

 concerted signal or the presence of others of the party 

 announces surely that the drive is at an end. By 

 going away too soon, you not only spoil your own 

 sport, but that of others who are with you. 



It is of course known to every one that, when waiting 

 for game, it is necessary to stand still ; to turn this way 

 or that as little as possible. Choose your position, 

 therefore, so that, as you stand, you may command the 

 game in the direction it is most likely to come. And 

 this must be attainable without having to turn much. 

 Now suppose it to be as likely that the game approach 

 from the right as from the left side. It would be ad- 

 visable to stand facing rather the approach on the 



