CHAPTER FIVE ON POACHERS 



lads from the hills would shoot over his ground for the rest 

 of the season." 



In the eastern part of the Highlands and on the hills 

 adjoining the Highland roads, the grand harvest of the 

 poachers arises from grouse, which are shipped by the 

 steamers, and sent by the coaches southwards, in numbers 

 that are almost incredible. Before the 12th of August, 

 hundreds of grouse are shipped, to be ready in London on 

 the first day that they become legal food for her Majesty's 

 subjects. In these districts the poachers kill the deer only 

 for their amusement, or to repay the obliging blindness 

 and silence of shepherds and others. Many a fine stag is 

 either shot or killed by dogs during the winter season; — 

 the proprietor, or person who rents the forest, supposing 

 that his paying half a dozen watchers and foresters ensures 

 the safety of his deer. 



"Indeed, his lordship has seven foresters," said a High- 

 lander to me; "but they are mostly old men, and not that 

 fit for catching the likes of me; besides which, if we leave 

 the forest quiet during the time his lordship's down, they 

 are not that over hard on us; nor are we sair on their deer 

 either, for they are all ceevil enough, except the head 

 forester, who is an Englishman, and we wouldna wish to 

 get them to lose their bread by being turned away on our 

 account. So it's not often we trouble the forest, unless, 

 maybe, we have a young dog to try, and we canna get a 

 run at a deer on the marches of the ground, where it would 

 harm no one." 



"And how do you manage not to be caught?" was my 

 question. 



71 



