STALKING REMINISCENCES 



CHAPTER I 

 FARLEY, 1914 



" FOUR years ago it was my fate, ' not ' to cap- 

 tivate a widow," but to have the right to kill five 

 stags in Farley Forest, in addition to the grouse- 

 shooting thereon curious to relate, the former 

 did not appeal to me one little bit, and I only 

 took it because the grouse-shooting was unattain- 

 able without it. Little did I think I should so 

 soon become the devotee I have become but 

 there, it is always the unexpected that happens, 

 and had it not been for those five stags the world 

 would have missed this forest idyll. It must 

 have been the middle of September when my 

 keeper Roy suggested to me that it was a pity 

 to have five stags and not have a try for them; 

 and as my Lady of Balblair agreed with him, I 

 meekly acquiesced, and it was arranged to drive 

 Farley Wood with four beaters. My old friend 

 Merton Barker and I were posted in the various 

 ambushes with which Farley abounds. I was 

 accompanied by Susan of the many names and 

 the wondrous kilts, and she has been beside 



1 



