GLENFALLOCH ROES. 179 



had no idea that even one spy had witnessed 

 their cunning. 



The short winter day was fast wearing out, 

 but the pursuers' hopes were as strong as ever. 

 The roes had been scarcely able to feed all the 

 forenoon, and no doubt felt confident that the 

 last clever trick on the hill peak had fairly en- 

 titled them to a supper. We were therefore quite 

 convinced that they would settle to the evening 

 meal at the first convenient halting spot. 



Giving his gun to the keeper, my son scouted 

 forward with a telescope, and from screen of rock 

 or tree scrutinised the hidling corries or scrubby 

 patches which might possibly shelter our game. 

 Crawling on hand and knee to the pinnacle of a 

 wide look-out, we saw his attention fixed. Up 

 goes the glass, to remain steady for a few seconds, 

 when it was shut up with a satisfied jerk, and he 

 descended on all-fours. Before a word was spoken 

 I felt sure the chase was at length happily safe. 



The three roes were greedily eating among some 

 stunted birches skirting a mountain brook, and 

 from the direction of the wind and lay of the 

 feeding-ground could not have been more aptly 



