310 THE OLD BLAIR PONY. 



deer; they were a hardy race, redundant in mane and 

 tail, and contemners of the bridle. Amongst these was 

 one known by the name of the " Old Blair Pony," who 

 had always the honour of bringing home the Duke's deer. 

 It was an office he delighted in ; and he was wont to 

 evince his sense of pleasure by rubbing his muzzle in the 

 blood, and by towzling the beast, as Squire Western has it. 



Two or three sportsmen discharged their rifles at the 

 gillies' bonnets, at the distance of a hundred paces, the 

 gillies wisely pulling them off and planting them in the 

 heather, and not standing the shot themselves, as did the 

 Gown-cromb of Badenoch. The light infantry galloped 

 home on their ponies ; then followed the shelties, each 

 with a hart corded on his back, with the head and horns 

 uppermost : these were attended by a group of hill-men 

 and gillies, in their kilts and plaided tartans ; some urging 

 on the ponies with Gaelic admonitions, others holding the 

 rough lurcher in the leash, and tugging him back rudely 

 as he tried to get a lick of the blood-stained deer. Thus 

 they passed merrily through the storm-beaten forest, 

 winding over the bridges, the dark torrent of the Banavie 

 brawling and toiling below them. 



May they enjoy the right good cheer and merry dance 

 that always awaited them at the castle ! 



Eight harts slain at the wood, and two at Cairn Cherie. 

 By the rood, it was a sufficient work ; though the sport 

 had occasionally been much more ample.* 



* It may appear, perhaps, that in the account of this day's drive 

 and the former one, the lion's share of the sport is given to the stalker. 

 It must be remembered, however, that those who go round with the 

 drivers have necessarily the greatest number of chances. Hence Tor- 

 toise's success. 



