292 WANDERINGS AND MEMORIES 



disappointing to see the whole herd working slowly 

 over the ridge in front of me and crossing the 

 marchi Of course, the big fellow looked better 

 than ever immediately he touched Naboth's Vine- 

 yard, but then they always do under such circum- 

 stances, and I had reluctantly to seat myself and 

 watch his gradual disappearance. 



It was now nearly twelve o'clock, and I had spent 

 a good part of the day in this unsuccessful stalk, 

 so I picked up the rifle and walked rapidly south 

 along the march for two miles towards Loch Tilt, 

 till I came to the " Little Cairn," where I found a 

 large herd of deer with what appeared to be a fine 

 stag lying in their midst. I could not see him very 

 well, but as his horns seemed to be large, I crawled 

 to within 300 yards, when a further inspection proved 

 that his head was not good enough. 



Whilst inspecting the herd I now saw two other 

 stags, both big beasts, come in from Mar and stand 

 on the ridge of the steep hill about a quarter of a 

 mile directly ahead. They appeared to offer an 

 easy stalk, so I retreated a short distance and 

 eventually came down on them from above. I 

 took a side shot at the largest stag and one at the 

 neck of the second beast as he ran, and both fell 

 at once. Whilst reloading, the first stag rose to 

 his feet again and hobbled round a corner, but as 

 he seemed to be done for I did not fire again until 

 he was going over the ridge, and then hit him again, 

 I think too low. I now ran, as I thought, to 

 intercept him from getting down into a rocky 

 gully, where it would be difficult to recover the 

 carcase, and in doing so completely lost the wounded 

 beast, who must have turned uphill and crossed 



