er than mine.
Is that the branch of a tree in the fern, or is it not?"

"I see what you mean," replied Edward. "It is not, it moves."

"I thought so, but my eyes are not so good as they once were. It's
another stag, depend upon it; but how to get near him? We never can get
across this patch of clear grass without being seen."

"No, we cannot get at him from this spot," replied Edward; "but if we
were to fall back to leeward, and gain the forest again, I think that
there are thorns sufficient from the forest to where he lies, to creep
from behind one to the other, so as to get a shot at him; don't you?"

"It will require care and patience to manage that; but I think it might
be done. I will try; it is my turn now, you know. You had better stay
here with the dog, for only one can hide from thorn to thorn."

Jacob, ordering Smoker to remain, then set off. He had to make a
circuit of three miles to get to the spot where the thorns extended from
the forest, and Edward saw no more of him, although he strained his
eyes, until the stag sprung out, and the gun was discharged. Edward
perceived that the stag was not killed, but severely wounded, running
towards the covert near which he was hid. "Down, Smoker," said he, as
he cocked his gun. The stag came within shot, and was coming nearer
when, seeing Edward, it turned. Edward fired, and then cheered on the
dog, who sprang after the wounded animal, giving tongue, as he followed
him. Edward, perceiving Jacob hastening towards him, waited for him.

"He's hard hit, Edward," cried Jacob, "and Smoker will have him; but we
must follow as fast as we can."

They both caught up their guns and ran as fast as they could, when, as
they entered the wood, they heard the dog at bay.

"We shan't have far to go, Edward; the animal is done up, Smoker has him
at bay."

They hastened on another quarter of a mile, when they found that the
stag had fallen on his knees, and had been seized by the throat by
Smoker.

"Mind, Edward, now, how I go up to him, for the wound from the horn of
the deer is very dangerous."

Jacob advanced from behind the stag, and cut his throat with his
hunting-knife. "He is a fine beast, and we have done well to-day; but
we shall have two journeys to make to get all this venison home. I
could not get a fair shot at him--and see, I have hit him here in the
flank."

"And here is my ball in his throat," said Edward.

"So it is. Then it was a good shot