NERVOUS EXCITEMENT. 237 



tion," whispered he. " Pray pardon me, my excellent 

 friend;" and he pressed Lightfoot's face gently into the bog. 



At this moment the deer began to hesitate; to look again 

 around them, and to consult their leaders before they de- 

 termined upon their course. 



The lying concealed in expectation of a doubtful event, 

 and almost within reach of the deer, is one of the most 

 nervous situations imaginable. In running with them there 

 are various things to distract your attention : caution to 

 preserve the wind ; prudence to keep your limbs entire in 

 going at the top of your speed down rocky declivities, or 

 amongst large stones concealed in the long ling. Even in 

 creeping for a quiet shot, you are naturally somewhat 

 engaged in ejecting the mud from your mouth, deeming it, 

 perhaps, unpleasant or unwholesome. There is also a 

 sensation when the water enters your shirt breast, which, 

 although not novel, may be termed somewhat interesting. 

 Thus the care bestowed upon your outward man diminishes 

 in some degree the agitation of your mind; but really when 

 you are lying prostrate, in expectation of the deer passing 

 without any effort of your own, when you hear the 

 trampling, the rush, and the belling, and all this under 

 doubtful auspices, you must be the most odious of all stoics 

 if your pulse beats evenly. We are agitated in such a case 

 tremendously agitated, we own : our heart trembles 

 within us ; our breath comes short ; and the whole goddess 

 Diana possesses us. Let those who have cold blood pride 

 themselves on it when they need, and where they need 

 not now. 



See the noble herd are come in view! Na-shean Tulich- 

 ean never bore upon his green swells a prouder burthen. 

 The antlers rise and sink over its heights ; the hinds and 

 calves pass belling along, whilst we (practising at least for 

 once in our lives, the virtue of forbearance) feel all the tor- 

 ments that the fabled and thirsty sinner felt as he caught 

 at the flying waters. Yes, the fable may be told of us, and 

 that somewhat to our credit. 



And now the great bulk of the herd had passed over the 

 knowes, and were out of sight ; still they came on in num- 

 bers; but ever as they passed the antlers grew scarcer and 



