112 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AXD SPORT. 



tion for which I had now no inclination. To go out 

 with a couple of setters and a " fowling-piece " when 

 the red-deer is roaring in the neighbourhood, borders 

 on the contemptible. After a pleasant stretch of six 

 miles I got to Duncan's cottage. I found the veteran 

 at home, very glad to see me, but looking rather sub- 

 dued. Eager to hear all about the parson's experi- 

 ences, I plunged without preface in medias res. 



" What a pity it was," I said, " that you couldn't 

 get Mr B. a bit nearer yesterday. That must have 

 been an uncommonly difficult shot." 



Duncan looked me straight in the face, and seeing 

 I was serious, " Did the minister say the shot was a 

 difficult one, sir?" he asked. 



"Of course he did," I replied. "And so it was, 

 was it not?" 



" If I had to choose a shot for a gentleman, sir," 

 said Duncan, very deliberately but emphatically, "I 

 woiild choose the shot I gave the minister yesterday ; " 

 and then followed a full and particular account of the 

 day's proceedings. 



" Et tu, Brute" I said to myself as I walked home, 

 apostrophising the absent divine, " even you are not 

 to be depended on." Xow I don't mean to impute 

 wilful misrepresentation to this estimable individual, 

 very far from it. It was only his first stag, and 

 eagerness unnerved him; and when all was over, he 

 scarcely knew what had happened. I proved this 

 afterwards by asking him what the stag was like. 



