298 FORESTS OF SCOTLAND. 



for the excellence of his deer-hounds : who, indeed, has not 

 heard of the remarkable feats of Hector ? He tried various 

 crosses, particularly with a small blood-hound ; and their 

 capacity of following a cold scent is said to have been so 

 wonderful, that one of them actually pursued a wounded 

 deer for the space of three days, the hunters at nightfall 

 stopping at the last distinct impression of the deer's hoof, 

 and covering it with stones ; when the stones were removed 

 at daylight, the hound was put upon the scent, and went 

 forward as keenly as ever." 



Many of Glengarry's dogs met the fate common to all 

 high-couraged ones, and were occasionally wounded by the 

 antlers of the stag at bay, or fell over precipices in turning 

 a sharp corner during the heat of the chase. 



With what romantic ardour the late Glengarry followed 

 up the exciting amusement of deer-stalking, is well known 

 throughout Scotland. He would go forth in his kilt, and 

 remain on the hills for a week together, sleeping in the 

 open air. When the stag was at bay, he would sometimes 

 have a close engagement with him, using his gun-stock, or 

 skene-dhu, and, though often in peril, was ever successful. 

 Stout-hearted and enthusiastic as he was, nothing could 

 obstruct his course : when his dogs once held a stag at bay 

 in an island in Loch Garry, no boat being at hand, he placed 

 a knife in his handkerchief, which he bound round his head, 

 swam lustily through the waters, and completed his victory. 

 This was wild sport, indeed ; but he had an adventurous 

 and a gallant spirit, and was a true son of the mountains. 



THE DUKE OF GORDON'S DEER FORESTS. 



AT page 100 will be found an account of the former posses- 

 sions of the Earls of Huntly. As some changes of conse- 

 quence have taken place in latter times, perhaps it may be 

 as well to note the more modern measurement and divisions 



* It must be borne in mind that a wounded deer would not hurry on 

 unless closely pressed, so that the scent was not so stale as it would appear 

 from this account. 



