io8 ECHOES OF SPORT 



henchmen, I felt sure of success. A pony 

 was pressed into the service, and carried 

 me the first few miles, out towards the west, 

 then northwards along a burnside, till the 

 steep path was reached on the western ridge 

 of our beat. By a quarter to twelve we were 

 on the top, that stony ground with short, crisp 

 crop that is the delight of those who seek the 

 red deer. To-day there will be all the joy of 

 watching them, spying them, with none of the 

 possible horrors of a miss or a mess. They 

 are here in masses, dotted all over the 

 grassy places, among the rocks, stags and 

 hinds of every size and sort. The stags look 

 all head and rufHe, but lean and spare in the 

 body and haunches after several amorous 

 weeks ; the hinds are strangely quiet and 

 unsuspicious, as if knowing their lords and 

 masters are not to be pursued, and that their 

 own chase is not yet. 



To go out shooting on rough deer ground 

 makes one realise how strongly surefooted a 

 stalker must be, for here was I to-day carrying 

 my own weapon and having to keep my eyes 



