ses, wading
brooks, and traversing thickets, approached more and more near to each
other, and compelled the astonished deer, with the other wild animals
that fled before them, into a narrower circuit. Every now and then the
report of muskets was heard, repeated by a thousand echoes. The baying
of the dogs was soon added to the chorus, which grew ever louder and
more loud. At length the advanced parties of the deer began to show
themselves; and as the stragglers came bounding down the pass by two
or three at a time, the Chiefs showed their skill by distinguishing the
fattest deer, and their dexterity in bringing them down with their guns.
Fergus exhibited remarkable address, and Edward was also so fortunate as
to attract the notice and applause of the sportsmen.

But now the main body of the deer appeared at the head of the glen,
compelled into a very narrow compass, and presenting such a formidable
phalanx, that their antlers appeared at a distance, over the ridge of
the steep pass, like a leafless grove. Their number was very great, and
from a desperate stand which they made, with the tallest of the red-deer
stags arranged in front, in a sort of battle array, gazing on the group
which barred their passage down the glen, the more experienced sportsmen
began to augur danger. The work of destruction, however, now commenced
on all sides. Dogs and hunters were at work, and muskets and fusees
resounded from every quarter. The deer, driven to desperation, made at
length a fearful charge right upon the spot where the more distinguished
sportsmen had taken their stand. The word was given in Gaelic to fling
themselves upon their faces; but Waverley, on whose English ears the
signal was lost, had almost fallen a sacrifice to his ignorance of the
ancient language in which it was communicated. Fergus, observing his
danger, sprang up and pulled him with violence to the ground, just
as the whole herd broke down upon them. The tide being absolutely
irresistible, and wounds from a stag's horn highly dangerous, the
activity of the Chieftain may be considered, on this occasion, as having
saved his guest's life. [The thrust from the tynes, or branches, of the
stag's horns, was accounted far more dangerous than those of the boar's
tusk:--

If thou be hurt with horn of stag, it brings thee to thy bier,
But barber's hand shall boar's hurt heal; thereof have thou no
fear.]

He detained him with a firm grasp until the whole h