CHAPTER V 

 ERCHLESS AND FARLEY, 1918 



WEARY of the war and the Daylight Saving Bill in 

 London, and my tenancy of dear Mulberry having 

 come to an end on the 4th of July, my youngest- 

 born treasure Tabasco and I trekked North that 

 evening with Mary and Hilda, leaving my greater 

 treasure, my cook, Nellie, behind me for her fort- 

 night's holiday. Of course I had to have a prowl 

 around ere long, and on the 10th of July I went 

 up to Davie's about 6 o'clock, and we started 

 forth over the bare bit above his house and into 

 the wood and searched diligently, but could not 

 find the beasts he had seen in the morning. How- 

 ever, on coming out of the wood two hours later, 

 there they were on a ridge about a quarter of a 

 mile east of us and some good stags too, twelve 

 or fourteen of them. We had no difficulty in 

 getting to about 200 yards, but could get no 

 nearer, as they were scattered, some feeding towards 

 us, some on the ridge, some disappearing over the 

 ridge. Needless to say, the best were disappear- 

 ing, so I chose the best that was in sight and fired, 

 and a small beast fell, and the rest made off top 



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