STAG 
207 
cloned of his fellows, he again tries other arts, by 
doubling and crossing in some hard beaten high- 
way, where the scent is least perceivable. He 
now also runs against the wind, not only to cool 
himself, but the better to hear the voice, and judge 
of the distance of his implacable pursuers. It is 
now easily peroeivable how sorely he is pressed, by 
his manner of running, which, from the bounding, 
easy pace with which he began, is converted into a 
stiff and short manner of going ; his mouth also is 
black and dry, without foam on it ; his tongue 
hangs out ; and the tears, as some say, are seen 
starting from his eyes. His last refuge, when every 
other method of safety has failed him, is to take the 
water, and to attempt an escape by crossing what- 
ever lake or river he happens to approach. While 
swimming, he takes all possible care to keep in 
the middle of the stream, lest by touching the 
bough of a tree, or the herbage on the banks, 
he may give scent to the hounds. He is also 
ever found to swim against the stream ,* whence 
the huntsmen have made into a kind of proverb. 
That he that would his chase find, must up with 
the river and down with the wind. On this oc- 
casion too he will often cover himself under water, 
so as to show nothing but the tip of his nose. 
Every resource, and every art being at length ex- 
hausted, the poor creature tries the last remains 
€>f his strength, by boldly opposing those enemies 
he cannot escape ; he therefore faces the dogs and 
men, threatens with his horns, guards himself on 
every side, and for some time stands at bay. In 
this manner, quite desperate, he furiously aims at 
the first dog or man that approaches ; and it often 
happens that he does not die unrevenged. At 
that time the more prudent, both of the dogs and 
men, seem willing to avoid him; but the whole 
