156 AMID THE HIGH HILLS 
they have ever known an unwounded stag attack 
a man, but with one exception I have never heard 
of any such case. 
The one instance to the contrary is that given 
by Mr. Frank Wallace in his delightful book, 
Stalks Abroad. In describing his stalking in 
New Zealand, Mr. Wallace gives what he describes 
as the only really well - authenticated instance 
which he can vouch for of a wild stag attacking 
a man, and adds that most likely the darkness and 
time of year had something to do with the stag's 
boldness. He thus describes the incident : "It 
was dark by the time B. and his guide reached 
the river-bed, which at the point they struck it 
is very wide. They had scrambled along over the 
boulders and rocks with which their course was 
strewn for some distance, when they saw a dark 
object lying on the stones in front of them. 
This presently resolved itself into a sleeping stag, 
who, hearing them approach, jumped up and dis- 
appeared. They had not seen the last of him, 
however, for a little later they encountered him 
again, apparently very annoyed at having been 
aroused from his beauty sleep and determined 
to wreak vengeance on some one. Seeing them, 
he seemed to think they would be suitable 
