98 DEER-STALKING 



within range of two at least, if not three of the party, 

 pleased for the sake of his host that the drive is going 

 to be a success, determined if needs be to rest 

 satisfied with the enjoyment which he has already 

 derived from scenes of forest life which have been 

 opened to him, and resolved not to spoil the pleasure 

 of whoever may be on this day the favourite of 

 fortune by impatient references to his own ill luck, 

 or ill-timed after-dinner grumbling. 



In such a position as I have imagined in three out 

 of four cases all goes well. The herd cross the burn 

 and go right through the line of guns. But some- 

 times, from a single act of carelessness or from an 

 unforeseen accident, and often for no accountable 

 reason, at this last supreme moment the drive is a 

 failure. The herd of deer come down to the burn, 

 but do not cross it. They stand on the brink, and 

 again seem to take counsel. They look long and 

 steadily in front of them and then ominous sign ! 

 turn their heads and look upwards, the way they have 

 just come, for a short time ; next they turn their heads 

 half round and gaze steadily over their right or left 

 shoulder. You pull out your glass to try to find out 

 what they are staring at, but you see nothing, nor do 

 the deer that is the worst part of it. Then perhaps 

 one or two begin to pick up the sweet grass on the 



