John Cavendish was driving to town

he worked for the owner of a large estate

he enjoyed the hour long journey along isolated roads

he sang to himself to pass the time away

as he rounded a bend he saw a huge stag in the road ahead

he slowed down expecting the big beast to run away

but the stag stood his ground

john stopped a few feet from the massive creature

he noticed something white on his antlers

John stepped out of his Land Rover to take a closer look

the stag lowered his head offering John the handkerchief

he quickly untied it and read the note inside

I fell from my horse and injured my ankle

my horse did not survive the fall

I am three miles west of the road to Larog

half a mile north of the river Coyne

it was signed and dated by Heather McDonnell

John knew he had to act fast

if he drove to town to raise the alarm

it would be too dark for a rescue team to find her

the stag ran away while John was reading the note

it was summer and the river was running low

John figured he could drive off-road next to the river bed

he drove as fast as he could along the rocky path

after a few miles he saw the Stag up ahead

he knew this was the place to head north on foot

he found Heather asleep next to her fallen horse

she was strangely calm when he woke her

he picked her up and carried her 

she wrapped her arms around his neck

whispering into his ear 

please tell nobody about the stag