30 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



herself about 100 yards off. I used my rock for a rest and 

 fired ; the deer staggered, then slowly walked towards me. 

 When within 40 yards she halted a lovely chance. Of 

 course I began to load the single barrel. She listened for a 

 moment, then slunk beyond the adjoining heights. Taking a 

 circuit for the wind, I came round them, and was expecting 

 every instant to come upon the wounded deer, when a fresh 

 pair of hinds turned up at long range on the open heath. 

 Putting up the 200-yard sight, I fired the last of my balls! 

 I saw it miss the deer and strike the hill about a foot before 

 them. After loading with powder, I put my hand into my 

 pocket for the bullet ! ! Here was a fix for within 100 yards 

 of where I threw away my last ball stood the stricken hind. 

 She allowed me to walk within the fairest range, then limped 

 down the hill, taking refuge in the thickets of Garrochree. It 

 was more than an hour ere I could collect my men and dogs, 

 but by that time the scent had cooled, not even the Ugly 

 Buck deigning to notice it. We searched till dusk, by which 

 time I had come to the conclusion that it is less troublesome 

 to take too many bullets than too few. 



THE GARROCHREE STAG. 



He was a lonely one, caring nothing for company, large, 

 intensely cunning, and carrying a royal head. From his par- 

 tiality to the impervious whins of Garrochree he had gained 

 his title. He never willingly left his fastness, except when 

 the flies forced him, returning to it whenever the July sun had 

 abated its fierceness. When hunted he ran a ring round and 

 round the thickest underwood, avoiding every open, and con- 

 founding the dogs by the labyrinth of his traces. I have known 

 him dodge about in this manner for half a day, and yet never 

 be once seen by either sportsmen or beaters. The well-known 

 " catch a weasel asleep " might well have been applied to him ; 



