THE MANAGEMENT OF DEER FORESTS 97 



miles away^-the latter have had a steep climb on the 

 other side before they reached the top, they are in no 

 hurry now, and they purpose looking well before they 

 leap. The turning point, so far as our friend is con- 

 cerned, may be on this very shoulder, or it may not 

 have come yet. But come it must sooner or later, 

 and it is this uncertajnty which prolongs the excite- 

 ment, and when all goes right, adds intensely to the 

 pleasure of a successful ' right and left.' Now sup- 

 pose the herd, having at length made up their minds, 

 or, like some politicians, had this function performed 

 for them by their leaders, briskly descend the hill in 

 the very direction desired by our friend, who we will 

 imagine is stationed half-way up the opposite slope, 

 the turning point is still not reached. But it must 

 come when they reach the burn. The excitement 

 increases as the deer draw nearer. If a true sports- 

 man, and not jealous, he will say to himself,.' I may not 

 get a shot, these deer may cross the burn and come 

 up on this side in a slanting direction. In that case 

 the next gun will get the shooting. Well, never mind, 

 it can't be helped, and I have at any rate got a good 

 view of the sport whatever may happen.' So he waits 

 on, confident that, should they cross, though he may 

 not be the favoured sportsman, the deer he sees 

 cantering straight towards the line of guns must come 



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