50 CHAPTER VII. 



While I was debating whether to move for a better position or what 

 to do, the stag, apprised of our presence by some instinct, or a waft 

 of wind, sprang up quickly, and as he did so the rifle muzzle rose 

 with him. His legs were scarcely straight as he gained his feet when 

 my left forefinger moved, and the shot rang out. 



Trying afterward to get the position from which I had fired, I found 

 it was one I had conceived impossible. Firing from the left shoulder 

 as I must, resting both elbows upon the ground, the end of my right 

 arm was supporting the rifle by touching the stock back of the trigger 

 guard. 



At the shot the deer gave down in the back. I was too engrossed 

 in watching him to think of opening my bolt and sending him the 

 contents of another cartridge. As I gazed intent with expectation and 

 desire, keyed to the highest point, I saw him move forward, half a 

 dozen staggering steps, and I whispered to Donald : "Will he do, 

 will he do?" and Donald as tense and as interested as I, replied: 

 "He's a dead 'un." Even as the last whispered words came to me 

 the stag wavered for a moment and then fell headlong and lay without 

 a quiver. 



The six or seven hinds had dashed away at the shot, but they were 

 still in sight. I had drawn in enough knowledge of the requirements 

 of the situation in a deer forest to know we ought not to show our- 

 selves until the hinds were out of sight, so we lay quiet. I did work 

 my bolt, then, and covered the stag for fear he might rise and make 

 off. But the hinds having passed from view we moved over to the 

 old fellow and found him quite dead. The bullet had struck him about 

 four inches below the backbone and about three inches to the rear 

 of a perpendicular line passing through the heart. 



I had killed my first Scotch stag. 



The attentions which he required from the men were soon paid him ; 

 a little cross of his fresh blood was marked upon my brow, and then 

 Donald and the gillie, with ropes which they drew forth for the pur- 

 pose started to drag the body to the burnside at a point where the 

 pony could be brought to get him. 



Donald was quite as happy over the successful outcome of the stalk 

 as I. Indeed I think more so. I came to love this honest fellow before 

 we parted. He was as genuine a sportsman as I have ever known. 



