INDICATIONS THAT STAG IS HIT 199

downhill. For a second or two I almost fancied he was
hit by the second shot, but when he went out of sight,
racing at a terrific speed, he showed no signs of any injury,
and any idea I had of a hit was dispelled.

Utterly disgusted with my miserable shooting, but even
more with my clumsiness in attracting his attention and
so not having proper time to take careful aim, I strolled
leisurely down to where he had been when I fired at him.
There was no hope, not even a faint one, in my mind that
any one of the bullets had hit him, but it is always my
principle to examine the ground on the odd chance of the
beast being wounded.

At the place where the stag had stood when my first
shot was fired there was not a sign of blood, nor was
there at the point where the second one was fired, nor as
far as I could see ahead, and I was about to turn off in
another direction. Just then some small dark lines on
the snow attracted my notice and, on stooping to examine
them more closely, they proved to be two or three hairs.
Several yards farther on were a few more. Was it possible
one of my bullets had hit him? From the way he went
away it did not seem that he could have been more than
grazed; still it was worth investigating. Before many
yards had been covered there were more hairs in evidence,
and then at last a drop of blood. There was not a doubt
now about his having been hit, though there was nothing
to lead me to believe that the wound was anything but a
slight one.

For several hundred yards I followed the trail, discovering
occasional drops of blood, but not enough of them to raise
even faint hopes of ever finding him again. However, it
seemed best to wait for half an hour or so on the off-chance
that the wound might be more severe than the signs made
likely, and that he might lie down. So at the top of the
hill I chose a comfortable place and settled down for a
thorough rest and a good smoke.

I am an inveterate smoker, not of cigarettes or cigars,
neither of which give me any pleasure. To me nothing
but a pipe gives satisfaction, but any excuse is enough

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