DEER-STALKING. 



CHAPTEE XXV. 



Deer-stalking ; enjoyment of — Fine Stag ; ill-luck in stalking ; 

 escapes of Stag ; start in pursuit of him — View of Country 

 — Eoebucks — Hare and Marten — Tracks of Deer ; find the 

 Stag ; death of — Meet the Shepherd — Cottage. 



Though we are all naturally gregarious animals, 

 much pleasure is often derived from a lonely walk 

 over mountain and moor, when, independent of 

 the wishes or movements of any one else, we can 

 go hither and thither as the objects or the fancy 

 of the moment may lead us. In following up my 

 sporting excursions I frequently prefer being alone, 

 and independent of either friend or keeper ; not 

 from any disinclination to the society of my fellow- 

 men — far from it — but from a liking to watch and 

 observe the habits and proceedings of many of the 

 living animals of the country. Now one's friend 

 may become bored by being carried off from his 

 shooting, and being hampered by the movements 

 of another person whose attention for the time being 



