AN EASY STALK 299 



grass and rushes which grew about the springs and marsh that 

 fed the main stream. They could not have been better placed, 

 and after a short consultation — which, however, lasted longer 

 than it need have done, owing to Donald's determined and 

 customary opposition to every proposal made by his tall rival 

 — we turned back behind the shoulder of the hill, in order to 

 get into a hollow of the ground which would enable us to reach 

 the course of the burn : for, this done, our task was compara- 

 tively easy. 



As the water, owing to the dry weather, was but shallow, 

 and the little wind which there was, was blowing right down 

 the stream, by keeping its course we hoped to reach the deer 

 unobserved. Before starting, I took a good look at them 

 through my glass, and saw that the herd consisted wholly of 

 hinds, except one tolerably handsome stag. The dogs instinct- 

 ively perceived .that we had found game, and changed their 

 careless and slouching trot for an eager and quick walk ; every 

 now and then they looked with pricked-up ears and an inquiring 

 glance at Malcolm's face, as if to ask him where the deer were^ 

 and how soon they would be seen. 



Malcolm proposed to me that Donald should get up to a 

 height of the hill, from whence he could see for a long distance 

 on the other side, in case the deer crossed the top, and went to 

 bay in any of the burns that were within his view, and after a 

 slight demur, rather at the proposer than at the proposal, Donald 

 started off, with his " dooble-h^xx^L" still carefully swaddled up 

 under his arm. 



Malcolm and I proceeded carefully, though with great ease, 

 till we got into the burn ; I led Oscar, while Bran was under 

 his guidance — we waded and scrambled with no great difficulty, 

 excepting that now and then Oscar was a little annoyed at not 

 being close to his master, as both dogs seemed perfectly. aware 

 of what was going on, and in momentary expectation of seeing 

 the deer. Never was ground more favourable : till we were 

 within four hundred yards of the deer, we had scarcely occasion 

 to stoop our heads. Having come at length to rather a difficult 

 pass, Malcolm asked me to look up carefully, that we might 

 know exactly where the deer were, while he held the dogs. 

 Raising my head gradually, I looked through a tuft of rushes, 

 and saw first the horns of the stag, and then the heads of five 



