We had continued in this
course for many hours, overcoming one difficulty only to
be encountered by another, and yet without meeting a
single deer; when, at length, the faint blast of a horn
was heard far above our heads in the distance, and
presently a noble stag was seen to ascend a ledge of
rocks immediately in front of us. To raise my gun to my
shoulder and fire was the work of a moment, after which
we all followed in pursuit. On reaching the spot where
the deer had first been seen, we observed traces of blood,
satisfying us he had been wounded; but the course taken
in his flight was one that seemed to defy every human
effort to follow in. It was a narrow pointed ledge,
ascending boldly towards a huge cliff that projected
frowningly from the extreme summit, and on either side
lay a dark, deep, and apparently fathomless ravine; to
look even on which was sufficient to appal the stoutest
heart, and unnerve the steadiest brain. For me, however,
long accustomed to dangers of the sort, it had no terror.
This was a position in which I had often wished once more
to find myself placed, and I felt buoyant and free as
the deer itself I intended to pursue.
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