STALKING THE GREAT DEER. 173 



hill, and formed into a beautiful group; but, as the drivers 

 persevered, they drew out into a long string, and went at 

 an easy pace up the steep towards Glen Croinie ; arrived at 

 the summit, they mended their pace, and each deer galloped 

 over the scalp of the hill as if all the rifles of Atholl were 

 at his heels, so that, in a few moments more, the whole 

 herd were fairly in the glen. 



There never had been the slightest doubt of the success 

 of this operation : all Tortoise's anxiety leaned towards the 

 small parcel which contained the great Braemar deer. When 

 the general alarm took place these stood and gazed like the 

 rest, and advanced some way as if to join them ; till at 

 length, when they made off, the proud leader stopped for a 

 space, tossed up his antlers, and, disdaining to follow the 

 servile herd, turned up the western face of the hill where 

 Tortoise was lying : as he went forward the rifleman ad- 

 vanced also, preserving the wind, and just keeping sight of 

 the points of his horns from over the brow of the hill. 



The hill-men, seeing the favourable course he was likely 

 to take, did their utmost to make him persevere in it. 

 Everything looked propitious ; but still it was uncertain 

 whether he would come out from the hollow at a favour- 

 able point of the hill, or go over the easy swell, where it 

 would be impossible, from the nature of the ground, to come 

 within distance of him ; indeed, he seemed inclined to do 

 the latter. What an anxious moment was this for the rifle- 

 man ! who can tell what hopes, and what dire apprehen- 

 sions shot rapidly across his mind, when he saw the pride of 

 the forest almost within his reach? forward he came, bound- 

 ing and pitching up the hill, casting his broad shadow on 

 the green-sward, and followed closely by his companions. 

 As yet, his course is dubious ; now he bears more to the 

 west, and races along, as it seems, rather in sport than in 

 f ear ; by heavens ! he nears the rifleman : on for your 

 life and make your push! With bent body, but with rapid 

 steps, Tortoise ducked down, slipped suddenly back behind 

 the eminence, and then went forward at the top of his 

 speed. The horns, which he never lost eight of, are seen 

 approaching the hill-top down again crouched the rifle- 

 man for a moment, till the course of the deer was decided, 



