CHAPTER V.
As we have before said, time passed rapidly; with the exception of one
or two excursions after venison, they remained in the cottage, and
Jacob never went to Lymington. The frost had broken up, the snow had
long disappeared, and the trees began to bud. The sun became powerful,
and in the month of May the forest began again to look green.
"And now, Edward," said Jacob Armitage, one day at breakfast, "we will
try for venison again to sell at Lymington, for I must purchase
Humphrey's cart and harness; so let us get our guns, and go out this
fine morning. The stags are mostly by themselves at this season, for
the does are with their young calves. We must find the slot of a deer,
and track him to his lair, and you shall have the first shot if you
like; but, that, however, depends more upon the deer than upon me."
They had walked four or five miles when they came upon the slot or
track of a deer, but Jacob's practiced eye pointed out to Edward that
it was the slot of a young one, and not worth following. He explained
to Edward the difference in the hoof-marks and other signs by which
this knowledge was gained, and they proceeded onward until they found
another slot, which Jacob declared to be that of a warrantable stag--
that is, one old enough to kill and to be good venison.
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