THE GREAT HART 



283 



looked up, and, following the direction of their heads, we saw 

 an immense hart coming over the brow of the hill three hundred 

 yards from us. He might easily have seen us, but seemed too 

 intent on the hinds to think of anything else. On the height 

 of the hill he halted, and stretching out his neck and lowering 

 his head, bellowed again. He then rushed down the hill like 

 a mad beast : when half-way down he was answered from a 

 distance by another stag. He instantly halted, and looking in 



"ON THE HEIGHT OF THE HILL HE HALTED" 



that direction roared repeatedly, while we could see in the 

 evening air, which had become cold and frosty, his breath 

 coming out of his nostrils like smoke. Presently he was 

 answered by another and another stag, and the whole distance 

 seemed alive with them. A more unearthly noise I never 

 heard, as it echoed and re-echoed through the rocky glens that 

 surrounded us. 



The setting sun threw a strong light on the first corner, 

 casting a kind of yellow glare on his horns and head, while his 

 body was in deep shade, giving him a most singular appearance. 



