NO MAA'S LAND. 197 



brute gets his blood heated in his fruitless efforts 

 to capture, he begins to show an inclination to rake 

 off at other deer that should not concern him. 



As it was now open course, the beaters having 

 come up, it did not matter about the uninvited 

 spectator — especially as that part of the park was 

 touched by the highroad running through it ; so 

 I could hear as well as see all that went on. 



" Blundering, savage beast of a dog ! he will never 

 get near the stag," muttered the young squire. 



"Beg pardon, squire," said the keeper; "here is 

 my dog." 



The young master looked at the strange animal 

 with a smile of utter incredulousness. The keeper 

 understood its meaning, and again he repeated, 

 " Beg pardon, squire," adding, " my dog will pull 

 him down — and hold him, too." 



The young fellow whistled to his own great brute, 

 which came without any ado ; and it was put in 

 leash. Then the keeper gave his dog a sign — 

 apparently only a look, which the animal returned, 

 his lithe body and tail swaying to and fro the 

 while. His owner pointed with a finger, and then 

 there was a sight worth remembering. A long grey 



