1 2 THE HUNTING GKOUNDS 



The deer-stalker should not only be able to run 

 like an antelope, but he should possess the bottom 

 of an Arab horse, to enable him to keep the game 

 in view ; he should be able to creep like a leopard, 

 and to run with his back bent almost double, and 

 at a pinch to wriggle himself along the ground, 

 ventre a terre, like an eeL He should be able to 

 wade or swim torrents, to keep his footing on sKp- 

 pery water-worn stones, remembering, if he does 

 fall, to keep his rifle dry, whatever becomes of his 

 wretched carcass. He should never go rashly to 

 work, keeping always cool, wary, and steady, never 

 allowing any untoward circumstances to interfere 

 with his equanimity and self-possession. 



Before commencing operations, he should carefully 

 survey his line of route, marking any cover that 

 inequalities in the ground, or bushes, rocks, &c., 

 might give. I need not add, that temperance and 

 moderation go a long way to keep the hand in and 

 the nerves steady. When I first began deer-stalking, 

 my Mentor endeavoured to instil the following gene- 

 ral rules in my mind, and several years subsequent 

 experience has proved to me that his theory is cor- 

 rect. Be on your ground betimes in the morning ; 

 consult the clouds, and keep well to the leetvard, 

 even if you have to make a circuit of miles ; he 

 silent as the grave; when you step on stones or dry 

 leaves, &c., tread as lightly as a ghost ; keej) under 

 cover ; exercise extreme judgment in approaching 

 your game, which is a happy mixture of wary 



