220 
A VOYAGE TO SPITZBEBGEJST. 
noticed in a kind of pass amongst the rocks the tracks 
of deer so numerous, we concluded that this must he 
in the direct course from one feeding ground to another. 
Here we built up a kind of screen of rough stones and 
debris from the mountain side, as a kind of blind to 
hide behind in the event of deer passing that way ; and 
though our whalers are expert in the pursuit of their 
own calling, they so entirely lack the ordinary require¬ 
ments of sportsmen, in the true sense of the term, we 
fancied they might, on a pinch like the present, assist 
in a “ drive,” Having this object in view, the men 
were initiated, as far as circumstances would admit, 
into the mysteries of the art; and though they never 
had killed a deer before, they entered fully into the 
scheme. Some of them were posted in the pass, we 
amongst the number. The others were sent off, with 
instructions to avoid giving the herd their “ wind,” and, 
when at sufficient distance, they were to endeavour to 
approach within range, when, if the stags became 
alarmed, they would naturally move off in the direction 
of the pass and give us the chance we sought. Nothing 
could have been more successful than the plan, had the 
old stag towards whom the little herd seemed to run 
for protection on the first indication of alarm only 
taken the expected course. He did nothing of the 
kind; after a rapid survey of the besieged ground the 
