210 DEER DRIVING. 



with the drivers ? This great mystery was seldom solved 

 over-night ; nor could it be so with certainty, as a change 

 of wind must necessarily cause a change of operations. 

 But on the destined morning each sportsman had clear 

 and distinct instructions, and his proper station allotted to 

 him ; some of the old ones, however, who were knowing 

 as to the currents of the air, and acquainted with the 

 passes, were apt to finesse a little, and ingratiate them- 

 selves into the most favourable positions. These gentle- 

 men might be seen, at the dawn of day, walking about 

 the castle, and noting the precise direction of the clouds. 



Modern hunting-parties in Glen Tilt, although not on 

 so extensive a scale as those in days of yore, when nobles 

 went forth with all their retinue, and the whole scene [had 

 as much the appearance of a military display as of a 

 hunting excursion, were yet of a liberal, exciting, and 

 lordly character. Parties of hill-men were sent forth, at a 

 stated time, to form a semicircular line on the mountains, 

 and press the deer down the crags into Glen Tilt, which 

 they usually crossed, and then went forward, reeking and 

 steaming, up the heights of Ben-y-gloe. 



There were several stations in the glen, in which the 

 various sportsmen were concealed, and from these no one 

 was permitted to stir till the deer had fairly passed them. 

 These drives took place only when the wind was favour- 

 able, and at such a time it was pretty easy to calculate at 

 what hour the deer would come in sight. 



It was not unusual for the drivers to collect a herd of 

 five or six hundred head ; and, occasionally, when they 

 came down into the glen, broke into parcels, and turned 

 back upon the drivers, the scene was splendid and ani- 



