274 DAYS OF DEER-STALKING. 



We then left the channel of the stream, and finding that 

 we could proceed no further in that direction without 

 being observed or scented by the deer, whose power of 

 smell is most acute, we turned to the left, and keeping the 

 lowest ground, proceeded some way up the side of the 

 valley on which he lay, when Finlay informed us that we 

 should soon be again in sight ; and that in order to keep 

 ourselves concealed, it was necessary to throw ourselves on 

 our faces, and creep through some rushes that lay before us. 

 This we did, following each other in a line, and closely 

 observing the motions of our guide, for a distance of 100 

 yards, until a rising ground intervening between us and the 

 deer, permitted us to regain an upright posture. Having 

 gained this point, Finlay thought it necessary to take 

 another view of the deer, in case he might have changed 

 his position, and thus, perhaps, be brought into sight of us 

 when we least expected it : it was proper also to ascertain 

 whether or not there were any deer in his neighbourhood, 

 who might be disturbed by our approach, and communicate 

 their alarm to him. For this purpose, unbonneted, his hair 

 having been cut close for the occasion, he slowly ascended 

 the rising ground betwixt us and the deer, looking at every 

 step to the right and to the left, and raising himself as if 

 by inches, with his head thrown back so as to bring his 

 eyes to as high a level as possible. Having, at length, 

 caught a view of the deer's horns, he satisfied himself that 

 he had not moved, and having sunk down as gradually and 

 slowly as he rose, that he might not by any sudden move- 

 ment attract the attention of the deer, he returned to us, 

 and again led the way ; and, after performing a very 

 considerable circuit, moving sometimes forwards, and some- 

 times backwards, we at length arrived at the back of a 

 hillock, on the opposite side of which, he informed us in a 

 whisper, that the deer was lying, and that, from the spot 

 where we then stood, he was not distant 100 yards. Most 

 of the party seemed inclined to doubt this information, for 

 they verily believed that the deer was at least half a mile 

 to the right ; but Finlay's organ of locality was so visibly 

 and strongly developed, and his practice in deer-stalking so 

 great, that the doubts of the party were suppressed, if not 



