230 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
hurriedly, but only remain standing, and show 
themselves to encourage the forward movement of 
the deer. They are now nearing the bottom, and 
in a few minutes will be splashing through the 
shallow waters of the Tilt. A few fine harts are 
following a parcel of cunning hinds, which have 
halted a dozen times before they reached the bottom. 
These are already belly-deep in the water, wading 
across the river ; the harts are following, and are 
near the stream. Suddenly a puff of smoke, then 
another, from a raised portion of the heather! A 
stag falls, and the astonished herd rush frantically to 
the right; another puff of smoke from a hidden box 
rolls over another stag. 
A rush takes place in all directions : some force a 
passage across the river, several falling to successful 
shots as the fire is opened from every box that is 
available ; some deer break back, and reascend the 
hill. Now the active rifles which have advanced in 
line with the keepers throughout the drive run 
nimbly forward, and endeavour to intercept those 
animals which are determined to break through the 
converging line of drivers. 
At length the drive is over. The main body 
of the deer have crossed the river, and can be seen 
in scattered groups ascending the steep sides of 
Ben-y-Gloe. A few have succeeded in breaking 
back, some eight or ten are killed, and two or 
three are wounded, and may be seen standing alone 
about half a mile distant, mid-way up the hill. 
There is a gillie well above one of these stags 
