Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ... the thud, and the rush of a heavy beast in his gallop, accompanied by snorts of rage and defiance, quickly causing the other two stags to bolt. It was clear the sounds we heard came from behind the projecting rock, so now our anxiety was as to whether the approaching stag would continue the pursuit of the intruders sufficiently far to bring him into our sight. It was clear that, if he did put in an appearance, we should be absolutely in full view of each other; therefore the full-cocked rifle was already half way to my shoulder, as, after a few seconds of suspense, he bounded into sight some hundred yards below. He came thundering along, fairly broadside on, and, excited as I was, it was yet impossible to help admiring the spectacle, for though we were as motionless as the rocks around us, yet he "picked us up" in an instant, bringing himself to a sudden halt by planting his forelegs stiff" and wide apart in front of him, at the same time turning his head directly on us. It needed no second glance to show me we were detected, and that this halt was but preparatory to bolting down hill and so unsighting us. Alas! for him that second of hesitation was his death warrant, for the rifle spoke in the very nick of time, the bullet dropping him to all appearance stone dead. Quickly lowering the hammer of the left barrel to put on the stop, with lengthy leaps we dashed down hill to where he lay, only to reach him just as the sinewy hind-legs began to kick in vigorous convulsions. On to one of them Edmund flung himself, while I, seizing his horns, fixed his head to the earth; so thus between us we held him till the knife could be unsheathed and used. A few minutes later the gallant stag lay prone on the now. nearly dark hillside, and it was only...