208 AMID THE HIGH HILLS 
burn on to the flat ground on the top of the bank, 
but even there could only see the stag's horns 
and a very small part of his head. 
Sandy whispered to me : " You will have to 
shoot off my back, sir ; it is the only chance." He 
carefully raised his back, and I put the rifle over 
it. I said : "I am too low now ; I can't see the 
stag's body." 
" Ye '11 just have to put the coat on my back," 
said Sandy, pushing towards me my rolled-up 
shooting-cape, which was fastened up with a strap. 
I hoisted the rolled-up cape on to Sandy's back, 
and then prepared for a shot by putting the rifle 
on the top of the cape — an extraordinarily foolish 
proceeding. What I certainly ought to have 
done was to have stood straight up and fired at 
the stag from my shoulder. However, I took my 
shot in the position described, and something, I 
don't know what exactly, caused me to pull off^. 
" His hind leg is broken," said Sandy, as away 
went the stag and the rest of the deer. I instantly 
handed him the rifle, as I knew he was a first- 
class shot at running deer, and told him, if he 
could get the chance, to finish the stag off". 
After a short interval I heard a shot, and then a 
second shot. Soon afterwards Sandy returned, 
