76 AMID THE HIGH HILLS 
and then the other, these three stags were between 
us and the herd. Now at last it seemed there 
was some chance of getting a shot at the nine- 
pointer, but before we could get up to him he 
began again to chase off the other stags, and then 
turned, and at a good pace followed the herd 
which was moving away from us. The other 
stags then also turned and followed in the same 
direction, though at a respectful distance from 
the nine-pointer. Maclennan and I, by running 
and crawling quickly, gradually diminished the 
distance between ourselves and the deer, and at 
last, after a quick run when out of their sight, 
crawled up a small hill and saw the three stags, 
the nine-pointer watching the other two. The 
nine-pointer was nearly 200 yards from us when 
he suddenly stopped and turned, standing for a 
moment about three-quarters on. I saw that 
this was my only chance, as the stags were just 
on the brow of the hill, and in a few moments 
would almost certainly be out of sight. I there- 
fore decided to take the chance and fired. 
" You have him, sir," said Maclennan, as the 
stag, evidently hard hit, disappeared over the 
brow of the hill. We made our way as fast as we 
could over the hill, but saw no sign of the stag. 
