A MONTH AT STRATHMAACOE 205 



derived solely from witnessing my part of the performance. 

 Then we started again to get a third shot, and once more 

 the bullet sped true. 



Now, though it has taken but a short space to narrate 

 the death of these three stags, it must not be forgotten we 

 had had two stalks, a run in, and three beasts to gralloch, 

 so, by this time, it was past two o'clock. Angus, however, 

 was downright bloodthirsty that day, for, as we finished a 

 hasty lunch, he jumped to his feet, saying — 



"Well, sir, all last season no one rifle could get more than 

 three beasts in the day to himself, but I think we shall manage 

 to beat that now, so we'll start whenever you're ready." 



Nothing loth, I was on my legs at once, but in vain corrie 

 after corrie was searched, for not another beast could we see, 

 while by about four o'clock we had explored all the likeliest 

 places and were reduced to turning back. At this Angus was 

 quite depressed, but I could not in any way share his feelings, 

 for three stags in one day should surely be sufficient, while 

 I was even more than content. As we made for home Angus 

 spied all the ground over again, but it was of no use, and 

 we at last arrived at the edge of the range of the forest hills. 



From where we stood we could see the lodge, a speck 

 in the distance, while Dyke's boat was still fishing the loch, 

 some three thousand feet below us. It was such a pretty 

 scene of hill country that we were tempted to rest before 

 commencing the long descent so trying to the knees, so we 

 sat down at a spring and lighted our pipes, to repose awhile. 

 Once again Angus pulled out his glass, and all feeling of 

 fatigue left me as he said, " May be, sir, we shall yet get a 

 fourth beast, for I can see a small stag feeding on the top 

 of the Ileig burn, though I doubt if the daylight will last us." 

 Taking the glass out of his hand, I soon found the staggie, 

 which was such a small beastie that I at once began to consider 

 whether, after the good day we had had, it would not be 

 more sportsmanlike to leave him in peace. On imparting 



