OUR FOUR-FOOTED NEIGHBORS. 347 



against the sun — as if he was lying in the bilhoes instead 

 of cold water. The old sorceress continued to watch us 

 without relaxation, and at last lay down on the brow of 

 the knoll and employed her rumination in obstinate con- 

 templation of the bank under which we were ambushed. 



8. There was now no alternative but to recommence our 

 progress up the burn ; and, as I was determined to circum- 

 vent the hind, I prepared for every inconvenience which 

 could be inflicted by the opposite vexations of a sharp, 

 rough, slippery, and gravelly stream. Fortunately, at the 

 place where we then were, it was so narrow that we could 

 hold by the heather on both sides, and thus drag ourselves 

 forward through the water, between each of which advances 

 I pushed my rifle on before me. In this manner we reached 

 the turn of the brook, where I concluded that we should 

 be round the shoulder of the knoll and out of sight of the 

 hind, who lay upon its east brow. This was effected so 

 successfully that, when we looked behind, we only saw her 

 back, and her head and ears still pointing at the spot 

 which we had left. 



9. One hundred yards more would bring us within 

 sight of the great hart. The general position of the herd 

 had not changed, and I hoped to find him near the central 

 knoll of the flat, at the base of which the burn circled. 

 We were almost surrounded by deer ; but the greater num- 

 ber were small, vigilant hinds, the abomination and curse 

 of a stalker. At length, however, we reached the knoll, 

 and rested to take breath at its foot. I examined my rifle, 

 to see that the lock was clean and dry. We took a view of 

 all around us, and, drawing ourselves cautiously out of the 

 burn, slid up through the heather on the south side of the 

 eminence. Scarce, however, had our legs cleared the 

 stream when we discovered a pair of ears not above fifteen 

 yards from the other side. " My curse upon you," whis- 

 pered MacLellan. She had not discovered us, however, 



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