126 DAYS OF DEER-STALKING. 



youth is always totally unconscious of what is going on ; he 

 creeps and meanders through the black and miry channels 

 of a bog, quite ignorant of the dire necessity for such a 

 pastime ; lies down to hand like a pointer, and runs till he 

 is as breathless as an immerged oyster diver, he knows not 

 why or wherefore. Thus the wretched felicity-hunter 

 follows as best he may 



1 ' O'er rocks, caves, fens, bogs, dens, and shades of death, 

 A universe of death." 



One while his leg is wedged in amongst tenacious stony 

 fragments, and at another he comes suddenly upon a deep 

 chasm that fills his soul with unaffected apprehension. 

 Meanwhile the deer-stalker goes on at a persevering killing 

 pace, saying, " This way, this way, sir; " and never looking 

 behind him to ascertain whether his patient is in his good 

 ground or not; his words die away amongst the winds, and 

 never reach mortal ear. Then, behold, when the deer come 

 suddenly in view, he tells the staggering and breathless 

 sportsman to shoot, always running forward himself, and 

 placing his proper body (to say nothing of his flowing kilt) 

 precisely in a mathematical straight line between the rifle 

 and the harts, which he expects you to kill. Pleasant this 

 to you ; and, it in the excitement of the moment you obey 

 his command, awkward enough for him ! In getting a 

 quiet shot, things may possibly be managed better, as to 

 one part of the transaction ; for if your adjutant will place 

 himself between you and the deer (as right certainly he 

 will), you may pull him back by the heel ; or if you be not 

 sufficiently powerful to make a good drag of him, you may 

 admonish him in a friendly way, by a gentle insinuation of 

 your gun-picker into the calf of his leg. You are not per- 

 mitted to speak ; and what else can you do ? 



You must by no means conclude, however, that your 

 attendant means you anything but the most cordial kind- 

 ness, his zeal and fidelity in favour of those whom he has 

 charge of is his great object; he means to take care of you 

 as if you were his only son, the remaining prop of his 

 family. Anxious to give you every possible chance, he 

 creeps, runs, and wades, unmindful only that he is a son 



