‘What could happen?’ I interrupted. ‘Listen to me, Terry, you must be reasonable. We need food, we’ve got to get it, whatever comes. One can stalk a stag more easily than two. If there’s danger, two people on the hill make the risk double what it is for one. One can watch better than two, one can escape faster than two, one can hide more securely than two—’

She was silent for a space, staring at me.

‘Show me how to work the rifle,’ she said at last in a low voice. ‘Is Duncan’s rifle loaded? Leave it with me.’

She put her arms round my neck and kissed me.

‘You had better go quickly,’ she said.

‘I’ll be home soon. Stay inside the cave and don’t wander from it, whatever happens,’ I said.

‘Come quickly, come home quickly, Hugh,’ she bade me. ‘I’ll be waiting for you. I’ll watch for you with Duncan’s glass.’

I took my own .303, and a score of bullets. Then I spied for deer from beside the cave and found a herd about two miles away on the hill across the gorge. I showed them to Terry.

‘Good luck,’ she said.

The wind was right and if only I could cross the valley without being seen the rest of the stalk was child’s play. I needed to do no more than slant up the hill towards a ridge west of the herd. The wind remained easternly. It had brought many beasts to this corner of the hills. I saw half a dozen herds scattered here and there, but those I saw first were nearest and most convenient.