238 FOREST CREATURES. 



and dream only when your eyes are closed and you are 

 asleep. I am not so, and am given to such phantasies. 

 But it has often brought its punishment, yet never so 

 directly — effect following quickly after cause — as in 

 the chase. 



After your shot, be careful to note what peculiar 

 movement, what " sign " or evidence it gave of being 

 hit. Should it not drop at once and you have to follow 

 it, you may by such " sign " form an opinion where the 

 bullet has struck, and act accordingly. Deer, for exam- 

 ple, when wounded in the flanks, will suddenly stretch 

 out spasmodically the hind leg. A shot in front, near the 

 shoulder, and the animal will sometimes fall, sometimes 

 bound, forwards. Though you may find no blood where 

 the animal was standing, such movement if distinctly 

 observable is quite as good a proof that it was struck ; 

 only you must take care not to confound a sudden start 

 of alarm with the spasmodic movement caused by a shot- 

 wound. Follow too with your eyes as long as you can, 

 to see how it moves : if quickly or slowly, if limping or 

 with difficulty, if it stop at intervals, if with head 

 raised or bowed towards the earth. Mark all ; let no 

 peculiarity be lost. 



If you have reason to think the animal is severely 

 wounded, — and especially if in the flanks — do not 

 follow it for an hour or so. Leave it quiet ; it will 

 soon lie down and you will get it all the more easily. 



