32 AUTUMNS IN ARGYLESHIRE 



can do with the big beast on the island before 

 we determine the fate of our unfortunate captive. 

 One man is sent round to fetch the other rifles 

 and bring them down to the shore, while I and 

 the keeper make for the same point through the 

 wood, and before we reach the boat we have 

 caught Prudence and Woodman, who will be 

 quite enough to find and start the buck that 

 got away from us this morning. As we announce 

 our intention of sailing or rowing home, which 

 may make us rather late, one of the party prefers 

 to walk back across the hill ; so we start off with 

 six men in all two keepers, the boatmen, and 

 ourselves, with two hounds and the brown re- 

 triever, whose presence is not at all relished by 

 the fallow-buck which lies at the bottom of the 

 boat, with his legs tied together and his horns 

 tied to the seat in a workman-like manner. We 

 examine him, and pronounce him to be five years 

 old and very fat ; the palm of the horn is widen- 

 ing, but the brow antlers are still short, and, as 

 he has two years of growth before him, I make 

 up my mind that whatever may happen to his 

 companion, when the council is held to deter- 

 mine his fate, my voice shall be given in favour 

 of mercy. 



A very few minutes bring us to the island, and 

 we take up our positions. I mount guard on a 

 knoll near the landing-place, from which I can 

 see the whole breadth of the island except the 



