DEEK-STALKING. 21 



specimen. The fallow-deer's head was from life, one of the 

 finest I ever saw. 



The day I shot the red-deer was perhaps the most unpro- 

 pitious for stalking which could possibly have been chosen. 

 In the morning, the mist was rolling lazily along the sides of 

 the mountains in dense masses, and it was evident there would 

 be rain before the close of the day. It was enough to damp 

 the heart of the most ardent deer-stalker, but I determined 

 (having little time to spare) to abide by the forester's opinion. 

 His answer was, that " we would just do our best ; but if we 

 were unsuccessful to-day, I must e'en wait for to-morrow." 

 With this determination we started for the forest, followed 

 by an under-keeper, with one of Lord Breadalbane's fine deer- 

 hounds led in a leash. A slight breeze at first sprang up, and 

 partially cleared away the mist from some of the lower hills. 

 The quick eye of Eobertson immediately discovered a deer 

 lying down upon the ridge of one of them. His glass was 

 instantly fixed. " There, sir, if you could manage that fellow, 

 you would have one of the finest harts in the forest." " Well, 

 suppose we go round by the back of the hill, and come down 

 that hollow, we should be within fair distance from the rock." 

 " If he'll only lie still, and give us time enough." This, how- 

 ever, the stag had determined not to do ; for when we came to 

 the hollow, he had risen from his rocky couch, and was im- 

 mediately detected by Eobertson, quietly taking his breakfast, 

 among his hinds, a considerable way below. The place was 

 so open all round that it was impossible to get near him, and 

 the mist soon afterwards came on so thick that we only knew 

 that the deer were all round us by their incessant bellowing. 

 The forester looked much disconcerted ; for, in addition to the 

 mist, a drizzling rain began to descend. We sat down behind 

 a hillock, and I desired the under-keeper to produce the pro- 

 vision-basket. " If there was only a breeze ! " says Eobert- 

 son ; " and I do believe it's comin', for the draps o' rain are 

 much heavier." And so it proved, for the mist again partially 



