A WINTER CAMPAIGN IN DONANA. 367 



occupation is varied by fishing and catching leeches in the 

 swamps, which they do by flogging the surface of the 

 water, when the leeches fasten upon their legs. A trained 

 cabresto pony, though a rough, shaggy little beast, is of 

 considerable value to these men, among whom there exists 

 a sort of brotherhood, and an intruder of their own class 

 fares badly if he ventures into the lonely districts which 

 they almost regard as their exclusive domain.* 



At length the time for our departure had arrived, for 

 we intended spending a few days among the big game in 

 the extensive pine-forests which cover the southern ex- 

 tremity of the Coto Dofiana. The pack-mules with the 

 baggage being despatched by a direct route, we rode off on 

 an almost summerlike morning, taking a wider course so 

 as to get a " drive " of some of the wooded coir ales that 

 lay towards the west. Here, in one of the wildest spots, 

 Manolo placed the line of guns. The writer is posted on a 

 mound of blown sand, one of the many which form the 

 irregular broken country around. The cocked rifle is 

 placed conveniently for instant grasp while one surveys 

 the position and speculates on the likeliest spot for a stag 

 to appear — quickly taking note of the uneven ground, its 

 hillocks and hollows where it will be necessary to enter- 

 prise a snap-shot, and again where more deliberate aim 

 may be taken. Every here and there similar mounds 

 present an unbroken view, spots where the driven sand 

 has collected around some stalwart pine, taking various 

 picturesque forms and crowned with the dark green foliage 

 of latest growth. 



Presently the sharp crack of a rifle breaks our reverie 

 and gives startling evidence that game is afoot. A few 

 seconds later the patter of galloping feet is heard on 

 the hard sand and the expected quarry bounds across 

 the glen, his antlers thrown back as he scents danger 



* Since the above was written we have acquired the sporting 

 rights over parts of these great marshes, and have engaged the worthy 

 wildfowlers, Vasquez and Vergara, as keepers. Many pleasant days 

 have we spent with them and their ponies. But of this sport a 

 fuller account will be found hi another chapter. 



