SHOOTING IN CHINA. 311 



together, gets on its legs, and makes off. It can hardly- 

 run. And now ensues a most exciting race. The 

 secretary strains every nerve to catch it, and appears 

 just on the point of doing so several times, when the 

 wretched animal makes an effort, and struggles on 

 again. Eound and round they go, through paddy-fields 

 they flounder, out again on the grass, again into the 

 sloppy mud and water, which is sent flying in all direc- 

 tions, and only appears to add to the excitement. The 

 admiral gallantly roars encouragement to his secretary, 

 who renews his energies. Off they go again, the admiral 

 stamping and perspiring with excitement, his running 

 days having long since been expended. Everything 

 has an end, and the poor secretary looked much as if 

 his was coming. The deer being kept on the move, 

 gained temporary life. This is always the case, whereas 

 if a mortally wounded deer is left alone, it will soon lie 

 down to die. The secretary was pumped and done 

 for; they regained the grassy ground, and the unfor- 

 tunate animal struggled ahead, and was seen no more. 

 The mud-spattered and completely done-up secretary 

 returned. The admiral swore. 



"Why didn't you catch it ?" he exclaimed. 



" I tried," was all his poor right-hand man could 

 utter. What he afterwards said was more like : " I '11 

 see the admiral somewhere before I'll run after any 



