CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
CASPAR ON A STALK.
In a few minutes the three hunters had lost sight of one another, Karl and Caspar proceeding round the lake by opposite sides, but both keeping under cover of the bushes; while Ossaroo wended his way along the bottom of the cliff--thinking he might have a better chance in that direction.
The game which Caspar expected first might fall in his way was the "kakur," or barking-deer.

These little animals appeared to be more numerous in the valley than any other creatures.

Caspar had scarcely ever been abroad upon a shooting excursion without seeing one; and on several occasions a kakur had constituted his whole "bag." He had learnt an ingenious way of bringing them within range of his gun--simply by placing himself in ambush and imitating their call; which, as may be deduced from one of their common names, is a sort of bark.

It is a sound very much resembling the bark of a fox, only that it is much louder.

This the kakur sends forth, whenever it suspects the presence of an enemy in its neighbourhood; and keeps repeating it at short intervals, until it believes either that the danger has been withdrawn, or withdraws itself from the danger.
The simple little ruminant does not seem to be aware that this sound-- perhaps intended as a note of warning to its companions--too often becomes its own death-signal, by betraying its whereabouts to the sportsman or other deadly enemy.