DEER-DRIVING IN MULL. 29 



the plantation. Soon two hinds broke below the river, but in- 

 stead of making for the ford of the Knock, and giving me the 

 120-yard chance, they kept the open shore of Loch-na-Gaul, 

 and, contrary to all precedent, took refuge on the hills of 

 Knock. 



I was testily watching their wilful course, when I heard a 

 step approaching on the near side of the river. In a moment I 

 knew it to be a deer's. A dip in the ground concealed the 

 tramper until a pair of horns rose about 30 yards from my 

 hiding. A fairer chance there could not be. He crossed at a 

 trot, and I shot him through the heart. My son from his pass 

 had noted this hart the moment he quitted the wood had 

 marked him confidingly choose his way straight for my hiding- 

 place was well aware that I could not see him until he came 

 slap upon me and, to crown all, perceived my attention fixed 

 on the hinds. The thrilling suspense did not cease until he 

 saw me present my rifle. This deer weighed 15 stone, but 

 had a poor head. 



The overseer assured us there were two more hinds in the 

 wood, which had " turned back." To give my son his turn, 

 we exchanged passes, but fortune again favoured me : the 

 hinds broke at the wood-side for Torlochan, came up the field, 

 and cantered past me at about 60 yards. I rolled over the 

 largest, and if my rifle had been a double-barrel, I had an 

 easier chance at her companion. 



We now had to choose our stances for a beat of the large 

 hill-wood of Torlochan. Again the most likely pass was 

 awarded to my son, while I chose mine by the side of a 

 detached rock called the " Eock " pass. This extensive covert 

 requires to be searched with great care and labour. I heard 

 the shouts of the men now up the hill, now down, then 

 across until I was quite tired out ; not a deer seemed to be 

 in the wood. All of a sudden our pack struck up a jarring 

 chorus. At first the chase bore for my son's ambush, but 

 passing it out of range made for mine. A hind soon showed 



