140 TRAVEL, ADVENTURE, AND SPORT. 



again and again by every inhabitant of the lodge 

 ladies, gillies, footmen, and all, down to the gar- 

 dener's boy ; when we heard the deep admiration 

 expressed in English and in Gaelic, then we had 

 our reward. 



II. 



One day in October last I was told off to the 

 " home beat " to remain at the lodge, and shoot the 

 " drawing-room window stag." This sounds pleasant 

 and domestic, but the term requires explanation. In 

 the home beat was comprehended a hill rising in 

 front of the lodge to over 3000 feet in height, a 

 favourite resort of deer. All one side, except the 

 " big burn " and a deep corrie over " the shoulder," 

 was visible from the drawing-room windows, hence 

 the term ; and by aid of a powerful telescope, fixed 

 on swivels, we could sweep the whole hill, and make 

 up our minds how to approach the deer, should any 

 be in sight, before ever leaving the lodge-door. That 

 morning, without much difficulty, we made out a fair 

 stag with some hinds lying half-way up the hill ; but 

 although four other glasses besides the big telescope 

 were brought into requisition, we failed to discover 

 anything else. 



" He's good enough for me, Donald," I said 

 "we'll be off;" and accompanied by Donald and 

 other two men, off I went. 



