158 DEER-STALKING 



realise our beast on going over the hillock on which 

 he was standing. On reaching the spot he was not to 

 be seen anywhere, so we at once took a spy at the rest 

 of the herd, who had by this time got well up the 

 opposite hill. Our friend was not among them, but 

 we soon discovered him half-way between us and 

 them. He was looking very unhappy, his head was 

 stretched out, and he seemed to pay no attention to 

 anything, but walked very slowly and dejectedly after 

 his companions. So bad did he appear, that my 

 stalker wanted to slip the dog at once, but I would 

 not allow this, as it seemed as if the other deer would 

 soon be out of sight, and we could follow the wounded 

 one with greater safety. However, they did not 

 seem to be much frightened, and he went walking 

 slowly on, until at last, to my intense disgust, they gbt 

 together and stood on the ridge, some of them actually 

 beginning to feed. I thought it was all up, and pre- 

 pared to go home, as it was not Lassie that was out 

 with me that day, but a young brindled collie, very 

 strong and very fast, but not fit to be slipped at a 

 parcel of deer a quarter of a mile off. Just as we 

 were preparing to leave, the deer suddenly threw up 

 their heads, looked about them for a minute, and then 

 galloped off down to a burn running at an angle to 

 the main stream, which they crossed, went over the 



