62 DAYS OF DEER-STALKING. 



motions are so noble, and his reasoning so acute, that, 

 believe me, I had rather follow one hart from morning till 

 night with the expectation of getting a shot (in which I 

 might be probably defeated), than have the best day's sport 

 with moor fowl that the hills could afford me. All your 

 powers of body and mind are called into action, and if they 

 are not properly exercised, the clever creature will inevitably 

 defeat you : it is quite an affair of generalship ; and if you 

 have any thoughts of the army, I would advise you to scan 

 all our motions, that you may gain a knowledge of ground 

 and skirmishing.* You will find that almost every step we 

 take has a meaning in it ; we shall creep along crafty paths, 

 between clefts and recesses, and make rapid and continuous 

 runs according to the various motions of the quarry; so 

 th a when the deer are afoot, the interest and excitement 

 will never flag for one single moment. See what a bound- 

 less field for action is here, and what a sense of power these 

 rifles give you, which are fatal at such an immense distance!. 

 When you are in good training, and feel that you can 

 command the deer, your bodily powers being equal to take 

 every possible chance, the delight of this chase is excessive, 

 as I trust you will ere long experience ; and here ends my 

 eulogy." 



" Well, I have listened to you with great interest, for I 

 see your heart goes along with your words ; and I burn 

 with impatience to see a sport which every individual I 

 have met on this side of the Tay seems to be perfectly wild 

 about. Why, what a primitive country is this ; are there 

 any buffalos here ?" 



" Not exactly." 



"Nor wolves ?" 



" Not at present ; but sit you down quietly where you 

 are, whilst we look for the deer : you may amuse yourself 

 by eating the provender you put in your pocket at starting." 



" No bad hint that ; will you have a little ? You won't ;. 

 oh, very well." 



Tortoise and Peter Fraser now laid down their rifles on 



* It is a fact that one of our most gallant and celebrated generals (why 

 should I forbear to mention Lord Lyiiedoch?) declared that he got his 

 knowledge of ground in this forest. 



