XXII 
THE DEER 
229 
Everything goes well, and those who are 
watching below suddenly observe a solitary head 
and antlers clearly defined upon the sharp outline of 
the hill-top. Then another, and another, until single 
deer are multiplied, and the crest of the hill is 
covered with a display of deer, stags and hinds 
confused together ; other stags in company ; and a 
few hinds some 50 yards or more in advance, to 
reconnoitre, before the main body will venture upon 
a general forward movement down the mountain 
side. 
It is highly interesting to watch the caution of 
the hinds ; how they regard the view before them, 
how they scrutinise the right and left, and leave 
nothing unobserved. Then perhaps the wary old 
hind herself advances alone, and trots along the 
face, regarded anxiously by every deer of the vast 
herd, all confident in her qualifications as a pilot. 
By degrees she becomes satisfied, and she walks 
briskly down the hill, followed by about twenty 
other hinds ; these form a kind of advance guard, 
followed by a number of stags, and a mixed lot of 
all kinds, as they feel that no danger exists in front. 
In this way they descend the hill, and shortly 
afterwards the sky-line will be occupied by a line 
of sentries in the shape of keepers and gillies, who, 
having successfully driven the deer before them, 
now stand as though on parade upon the ridge, 
their duty having been well performed. 
The work is not yet over. Great care is now 
required. The keepers must not descend too 
