198 HIGHLAND SPORT 



As the astonished taker of the wager grasped the situation, 

 he held out his hand to the winner and led the laughter which 

 went round the room, while Tom and I felt thankful we had 

 escaped being trapped, for neither of us nor any of the 

 company had seen the catch in the matter, although it had 

 been clearly stated to everyone. 



31st. — We left Kinross early, and picking up three fresh 

 guests at Perth — Charles Lewes, Thomas Dyke, and William 

 Patcham — we all duly arrived at Strathmaacoe, where a warm 

 welcome awaited us from Mrs. Berks and Miss Kent, who 

 assured us the ghost had departed. Lewes and Patcham 

 seemed strong, active men, but Dyke looked ill, and was 

 distincdy very lame, while later on I discovered he had come 

 more to recruit his health, after a bad accident, than to stalk or 

 shoot. Laughingly he told Tom that in addition to his valet, 

 he had brought his perambulator and nurse, in the shape of a 

 strong young man, to push it. 



It was settled from this day forth we were to go at the deer 

 with a will. Some ten miles away was a stoudy-built forest 

 lodge, and there in couples we were to take it in turns to spend 

 three days of each week. The start was tossed up for, and the 

 coin decided that Tom and Lewes should have first chance in 

 the forest. 



September ist. — Whilst I was yet dressing, the stalking 

 •party drove off, so I hurried down to join Patcham, for we had 

 been asked to make the best bag of grouse we could, either 

 over dogs, or by walking in line, or kiteing. As we were 

 starting Dyke hobbled into the hall, gun in hand, and said — 



" Can you give me any idea of your line of country to-day, 

 for if I knew which way you were working, I should like to 

 try and get where I might have a chance of a driven shot 

 now and then." 



We told him all we knew, while expressing our fears that 

 the hill track would be too rough for his chair ; but to this 

 he replied — • 



