32 WOODLANDERS AND FIELD FOLK 



stag has been seen on ground fifty miles distant 

 from where it was shot two days subsequently. 



Fagging is an institution well known in deerdom, 

 and a big stag has generally a smaller one for his 

 slave, who has to do all the dirty work to " f ag " 

 for his master. On this point a well-known deer- 

 stalker writes as follows: 



" The old gentleman lies snug in a hole out of the 

 wind, or covered from the flies; the slave has to lie 

 out on the hillock where he can see, and if, trusting 

 to the old fellow being asleep, he looks out for a snug 

 corner for himself, woe betide him if his master 

 catches him. In an instant he rushes out upon his 

 fag and drives him back to his post. Then, if there 

 is any doubt as to the safety of the road, the little 

 stag has to go in front, driven on by the horns or 

 forefeet of the big one." 



Red-deer stalking is fascinating sport, but only 

 those who are strong of limb and deep of lung can 

 follow it. On the mountain the deer has always the 

 odds in its favour, and every outdoor faculty must 

 be exercised to the full to circumvent it. The 

 senses of sight, smell and hearing are wonderfully 

 developed in deer, and an ill-timed movement may 

 spoil a long day's march. Driving and coursing are 

 old methods of taking deer in Scotland, but they are 

 less skilful than stalking, and are now rarely practised. 

 In driving, the deer are waited for at the likely 



