CHAP, XXXIVv.] STAG AT BAY. 265 
rience 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 
ifto 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 sprung in front of him, baying and 
preventing his leaving the spot. 
Not seeing Donald and his gun, we consulted together as to 
what was to be done, and at last Malcolm determined, by cau- 
tiously 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. They came 
quite willingly, evidently placing entire confidence in our manner 
of attack. Malcolm got just above the stag, and then flinging 
his heavy stick at his legs, and shouting loudly, frightened him 
so that he rushed out of the pool, passing close to me. 
‘“* Now, then, good dogs, at him ;” and the next moment the 
stag was tumbled over, with both hounds fixed on him—Bran at 
his shoulder and Oscar at his throat. I easily managed my part 
of the affair, and put an end to the poor animal’s pain.with my 
hunting-knife. ‘‘ Well done, Sir, well done,” said Malcolm ; 
“ that was quickly finished.”—‘ Deed, ay,” said Donald, who 
just then came up, panting likea walruss. ‘‘ No that bad either ;” 
this being the utmost praise that he ever bestowed on any one. 
The hounds, as soon as they saw that the stag was quite dead, 
left him, and, lying quietly down, began to lick the bruises and 
cuts they had received in the run; luckily there were none of 
any consequence. Every now and then one of the dogs would 
get up, and, going up to the deer, examine him all over, as if to 
satisfy himself that there was no life remaining. We examined 
the dogs’ limbs to see that there was no serious strain or cut, and 
then, after rubbing the dirt and blood off their skins, set to work 
