of the stream, so as
not to alarm the deer sooner than was necessary; then altering the
course of the canoe, we made directly for the point where the animals
were standing, their curiosity still inducing them to remain watching
us. We had got almost within shot when they took the alarm, and turning
round retreated into the wood.

Exclamations of disappointment escaped from all of us, for we thought
that we should see no more of them.

"Don't think they are lost; we may still have them," cried Alick.
"Paddle away as hard as you can go, and we'll land and give chase. We
may get round them and drive them back towards the water."

Instead of steering for the point where the deer had been standing, he
directed the course of the canoe higher up the river, and as we neared
the bank he cried out, "David, you and Martin remain on board, and Robin
and I will make our way through the wood, and endeavour to turn the
deer."

As he said this, he tried the depth of the water, and finding that it
was shallow, and the bottom hard, he stepped out, followed by Robin and
Bouncer, when, soon getting on shore, all three hurried off through the
wood, which was there considerably open.

We watched them making their way amid the trees till they were lost to
sight. I feared that there was little chance of their driving back the
deer; still Martin and I kept a lookout along the shore, on the
possibility of the animals returning, either driven by Alick and Robin,
or, supposing all danger to have passed, to finish their evening's
draught.

Several wild-fowl got up and went flying across the stream, some within
shot; but we were afraid of firing, lest we should alarm the nobler
game. We kept our paddles ready to urge the canoe in any direction
which might be necessary.

Our patience was somewhat tried. It was possible, however, that Alick
and Robin might get near enough to the deer to shoot one of them, and we
listened eagerly for the report of their guns. We waited and waited,
when we saw some way down the stream a magnificent buck burst forth from
amid the trees and rush towards the water. Without hesitating a moment
he plunged in and began to swim towards the opposite bank.

"Paddle away," I cried out to Martin. "We may have him before he
lands."

We did paddle, with might and main, feeling almost sure of the prize;
but the deer swam rapidly, and the current, which he did not attempt to
stem, carried him down. It was, howeve