43 Ifcin^s of tbe 1Rofc, IRifle, anfc 6un 



after a sharp remonstrance, his Grace asked him whether 

 he would go to Perth gaol for three months, or stand a 

 shot from his rifle at a hundred paces. The man said 

 he would stand the shot. 



' Very well ; John Crerar, step out a hundred yards.' 



The ground was measured. 



' Now post the man with his front right towards me 

 and give me my best rifle, John/ 



The rifle was given, and raised slowly, whilst the hill- 

 men stood by in a group in breathless suspense ; the 

 direction of their eyes changing alternately from his 

 Grace to the man. A long and steady aim was taken 

 it was an awful moment, but the blacksmith neither 

 flinched nor stirred ; at length the cap of the rifle only 

 exploded. 



' Pshaw ! Give me another rifle, John, and take care 

 that it be better loaded.' 



The second rifle missed fire also, as well it might, it 

 having been of course arranged that there should be no 

 charge in it. 



* Well, you are a lucky fellow, for I see your time is 

 not yet come. Give the man his fill of whisky, John ; 

 he does not lack courage : but mark me, Master Gow- 

 Crom, if ever you come after my deer again, my rifle will 

 not miss fire ; and if it does, the gaol at Perth is large 

 enough to hold you, and all the poachers in Badenoch, 

 though ye are a numerous progeny.' 



' I wunna say that I will gang entirely wi'out my 

 sport, for I canna aye be wanting venison ; but yer 

 Grace shall never find me in yer forest again. There's 

 mony a stoot hart in Glenfiddick, and mony a yell hind 



