THE SURGEON OF THE DEER FOREST 201 
each horn curving towards one another until the 
tips almost touched. We at once came to stalk 
him, while keeping so far as safe with wind 
between them and the boundary. We came to a 
point we considered likely if they kept on their 
way feeding, as in so doing they would pass us 
within a reasonable distance. This they did, 
but the ten - pointer keeping well at the end. 
When he was within 150 yards head on, all of a 
sudden he turned right round and began feeding 
quietly away tail on, with haunches towards us. 
We were in a high fever discussing whether he 
would still turn and follow the rest of the deer 
or had made up his mind to part with them 
altogether. We concluded the last was his 
decision, and so prepared to have a long shot 
if he would give us the best chance. When well 
over 200 yards, he turned half- broadside, and 
immediately the gentleman had a go at him. 
His first shot went high, and the stag bolted 
down the corrie, and with his second got him high 
in the offside hind leg and broke completely his 
thigh-bone, as I could see his leg swinging out to 
his side at every jump. We sat down, watching 
him going down the lower corrie until he came 
to a shoulder, and began to climb up the ridge 
26 
