XXII 
THE DEER 
223 
down a stream before the dog had come in view, 
and it would probably be standing in some deep 
place for concealment. We accordingly called the 
dog, who appeared to receive fresh courage from 
our presence. After a run of about half a mile, we 
arrived at a stream flowing along a deep gully, 
where the tracks of the deer were most distinct, the 
hoofs being widely spread, showing that it had been 
going at great speed. As the torrent rushed down 
some ugly places, I felt sure the deer would be 
in hiding somewhere not far distant; I therefore 
encouraged the dog by hallooing him on, and he 
presently dashed away to the left, as though he had 
obtained the scent. In another minute we heard a 
few loud barks, and we saw the stag going off down 
the hill about 200 yards distant, with Oscar close 
behind. With a good view halloo to cheer the dog, 
we followed at best speed. After a run of a 
quarter of a mile, we had a splendid view of the 
stag at full speed, and the dog upon its left flank ; 
had Oscar been trained to seize, he should have 
immediately tackled his game by the throat or ear. 
Instead of this, he simply kept his position, and 
presently turned a somersault as the stag kicked 
him in the chest, and then gained 30 or 40 
yards before the dog could recover from the fall. 
Again both deer and pursuer were lost to view, as 
they disappeared among steep descents and broken 
ground. We had run more than three miles from 
the spot where I had fired the shot, and I could 
now form a tolerably correct idea of the spot where 
