"That's truly said. Well, now I must see your woodcraft. You shall be the leader of the chase."
"Think you we can harbor a stag about here?"
"Yes, in this month, no doubt."
"Let us walk on," said Edward. "The wind is fresh from the eastern quarter; we will face it, if you please—or, rather, keep it blowing on our right cheek for the present."
"'Tis well," replied Oswald; and they walked for about half an hour.
"This is the slot of a doe," said Edward, in a low voice, pointing to the marks; "yonder thicket is a likely harbor for the stag." They proceeded, and Edward pointed out to Oswald the slot of the stag into the thicket. They then walked round, and found no marks of the animal having left his lair.
"He is here," whispered Edward; and Oswald made a sign for Edward to enter the thicket, while he walked to the other side. Edward entered the thicket cautiously. In the center he perceived, through the trees, a small cleared spot, covered with high fern, and felt certain that the stag was lying there. He forced his way on his knees till he had a better view of the place, and then cocked his gun. The noise induced the stag to move his antlers, and discover his lair. Edward could just perceive the eye of the animal through the heath; he waited till the beast settled again, took steady aim, and fired. At the report of the gun another stag sprung up and burst away. Oswald fired and wounded it, but the animal made off, followed by the dogs. Edward, who hardly knew whether he had missed or not, but felt almost certain that he had not, hastened out of the thicket to join in the chase; and, as he passed through the fern patch, perceived that his quarry lay dead. He then followed the chase, and, being very fleet of foot, soon came up with Oswald, and passed him without speaking. The stag made for a swampy ground, and finally took to the water beyond it, and stood at bay. Edward then waited for Oswald, who came up with him.
"He has soiled," said Edward, "and now you may go in and kill him."
Oswald, eager in the chase, hastened up to where the dogs and stag were in the water, and put a bullet through the animal's head.
Edward went to him, assisted him to drag the stag out of the water, and then Oswald cut its throat, and proceeded to perform the usual offices.