268 
held my hand, hoping the big one would follow. I waited, 
but there was no sign of him so turned down the hill iigixm 
rather regretting I had let the small stag go, when I suddenly 
caught sight of the head and spreading antlers of the big 
stag perfectly motionless in some thick scrub near the edge of 
the wood; he was evidently watching me, thinking he was 
unseen, and I am pretty sure he had sent out the smaller 
stag as a feeler I There was no time to lose ; he was about 
PUZZLED. 
a hundred and thirty yards off with only his head and neck 
visible, so taking a steady aim I let drive, heard a loud tell, 
and the stag wheeled round and disappeared. I made the 
men beat up to me, when there was a rush and out came, not 
the stag, but a hind ; 1 then posted one of the men outside 
and took up the track from where the stag stood: had some 
difficulty in finding It, as there was so little blood at first, 
but it soon increased and I had not gone far when I heard 
the stag get up and move away. 1 rushed out and saw him 
making tracks back to the wood 1 had first started him from, 
but fortunately I had picketed my pony on the line,- and the 
sight of him puzzled the stag and brought him to a standstill, 
