HINTS. 233 



two stags that I ever shot. The one, in Suabia, was in a 

 small but dense wood. There was a rustle, but it was 

 so low that not one in a hundred would have heard it, 

 or have taken it for an3i:hing but a dead leaf dropping 

 to the ground. I stood immovable, with eyes fixed on 

 the thicket, trying to penetrate the interlacing branches. 

 I was right : something moved. I saw somewhat like 

 the tip of an antler, and now a patch of reddish brown. 

 Steadily aiming, I fired. There was a plunge, and a 

 rush, and a galloping; but presently we came to the 

 spot where, with his majestic cro\vn overthrown, this 

 old monarch lay dead. Had I been less attentive he 

 would have escaped my notice and turned back without 

 my seeing him. 



WTien a rivulet is near, you must, if possible, re- 

 double your attention. Low as its murmur is, it drowns 

 all other sounds, and you are obliged literally to strain 

 your hearing to the utmost to be soon cognisant of any 

 movement in your neighbourhood. Here, therefore, it 

 is your eyes which must be on the alert: whilst in cases 

 like the above it is the ear which must serve you in 

 most stead. 



"WTiile on the watch take heed of the movements of 

 other animals besides those for which you are on the 

 look out. Their appearance is often the forerunner of 

 the game you are waiting for. A bird suddenly rising 

 and fluttering out of the thicket without any apparent 



