78 DEER-STALKING. CH. XXV. 



is taken up in following some bird or beast not 

 included in the game-book, and therefore not 

 deemed worthy of notice during the shooting season. 

 If my own larder or that of my friend is in want 

 of replenishing, I can fill it as well and quickly as 

 most people ; but at other times I like to take my 

 shooting quietly. In deer-stalking the solitary 

 sportsman has often great advantages, though his 

 enjoyment of the sport is much enhanced by the 

 thought that he has some friend, some " fidus 

 Achates," to whom he can relate the incidents of 

 the day, and who, following the same pursuits, will 

 enjoy and appreciate the account of the pains and 

 fatigues he has undergone before bringing down 

 the noble animal whose horns he exhibits in 

 triumph. Much of my deer-stalking time was 

 spent alone, or at most with no companionship save 

 that of an ancient and experienced Highlander, or 

 a chance visitor — some travelling laird or sports- 

 man — who was as glad to receive as I was to give 

 provend and rest for himself and horses. From 

 these circumstances I got into the habit of sketch- 

 ing off an account of my day's wanderings, when 

 they had been of that kind that I felt I might say 

 to myself " forsan et hsec olim meminisse juvabit." 

 I had more than once seen in a particular corrie, 

 or not far from it, a remarkably fine stag : his horns, 



