222 PREPARE TO START THE DEER. 



" Well, Peter Frazer, here you are at last : when are 

 we to start the deer ?" 



" At one o'clock exactly ; and aw the men are round 

 towards the east, under Charlie Crerar's command : then 

 there's Greorge Ritchie the fiddler at Cairn-y-chlamain ; 

 and Macpherson will gang doon Glen Croinie. The 

 Duke trusts to you and yer men to pit ower the deer from 

 the wast." 



" Well, Peter, this is all as it should be, and the left 

 wing cannot be under better command than that of Charlie 

 Crerar ; for, besides being a very clever fellow, he is as 

 active as the beasts themselves, and always zealous to do 

 his duty : a great regard I have for him, for he was my 

 first instructor, and many a pleasant day we have had 

 together in by-gone times. As for the main body of the 

 deer breaking on our side, we will so deal with them, that 

 they shall not have that crime to answer for ; if a few 

 harts alone take such a fancy, my nature is not so cruel 

 as to balk them of their intent, since in that case I shall 

 get a shot or two without prejudice to the general sport ; 

 if therefore this should happen, we will conduct ourselves 

 with liberality, and suffer them to take their own pleasure 

 without let or hindrance : and now, whilst we are waiting 

 here, you may as well tell me what sport there has been at 

 Dalnaspiedel." 



" I didna hear aething anent the moor-fowl at Dalnas- 

 piedel, but I heard that the English gentlemen killed five 

 deer at Dalnacardoch." 



" Five deer ! Deer at Dalnacardoch ? How could they 

 possibly come into deer in such ground as that ? What 

 clever fellows they must be ! " 



