302 WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS ' chap. 



was always at the shoulder, or fore-leg, while Oscar had a habit 

 of biting at the hind -leg above the hock, frequently cutting 

 through the flesh and tendons in a most extraordinary manner, 

 and tumbling the deer over very quickly. He had, however, 

 not yet got a fair chance at his present chase. Once in the 

 burn, I knew that neither dog could do much, excepting to 

 bring the stag to bay. I ran as hard as I could towards them, 

 and soon saw the deer rattling down the stream, with stones 

 and water flying about him in all directions. The dogs were 

 still keeping up as well as they could in the narrow and rough 

 path the stag had chosen, and sometimes springing at him, but 

 unable to get a hold. Malcolm and myself were in great dread 

 that they would be injured or killed. When within fifty yards 

 of us, both dogs were thrown down, after making an ineffectual 

 attempt at holding the deer, who broke away, and, getting a 

 little ahead of his pursuers, came to bay under a rock in a 

 pool of the burn which reached to his knees. The dogs had 

 recovered themselves almost immediately, and, crouching in the 

 water, bayed furiously at the stag, who, with his back to the 

 rock, presented only his armed front to them. Knowing their 

 business well, from having gained experience in many hard- 

 fought battles, they did not risk their lives by rushing at his 

 horns, but contented themselves by keeping him there, while 

 they now and then looked round at Malcolm, as if to ask for 

 his assistance. " Down, good dogs, down," he said, when, seeing 

 us approach, they seemed inclined to rush in. 



The deer now and then appeared anxious to break off", but 

 whenever he attempted to move, the hound nearest the direction 

 towards which he turned sprang in front of him, baying and 

 preventing his leaving the spot. 



Not seeing Donald and his gun, we consulted together as 

 tc what was to be done, and at last Malcolm determined, by 

 cautiously attacking the deer from above with his stick, to make 

 him turn from the dogs, and give them a chance of fixing on 

 him without risk from his horns ; if they succeeded, I was to 

 run in, and act as circumstances permitted, and, if possible, 

 to help the dogs by stabbing the deer in the throat. As soon 

 as Malcolm had commenced his part of the business, by going 

 round the deer, I called off" the dogs in order that they should 

 not be trampled down by the first rush of the poor beast. 



