DANGER OF WOUNDED STAGS 159 
got to the top and spied we found our stag 
some two miles away lying with a few small stags 
close to the march in a position fairly easy to stalk 
if he waited for about half an hour. We at once 
dipped down into the eorrie at his right and moved 
along till opposite him. We then climbed till 
within 80 yards ; he was still lying, so Mr. A. 
came to the conclusion to take him before getting 
up in case he would lose him on the march. 
Mr. A. fired, and hit high near the spine. The 
stag got up, but fell without making a step. I 
ran up to bleed him, and, crossing below, I 
noticed his head up again, and hurried up, when 
he made a straight bolt at me. With a quick 
jump to one side, I got clear of his head by a few 
inches. He toppled down the face and fell in a 
hollow. I think it was then he broke his back, 
as he could only raise his forepart. I called on 
Mr. A. to come up and finish him, as he was a 
dangerous beast. When he came in sight to 
one side and raised the rifle the stag half turned 
towards him and gave a loud, defiant roar, which 
was cut short by a bullet tlirough the neck. He 
weighed 18 st. 2 lb. ; the head had a wide span and 
long, but the horn was rather thin and smooth, 
which showed he was past his prime. Whether 
