ROE-HUNTING. 57 



ing that, barring the dignity of twin barrels, it might as well 

 have been a single ! 



A small belt of tangled brushwood fringing the Arnan burn, 

 interspersed with tall firs which had weathered the blasts of a 

 hundred winters, is a favourite feeding-place of the Glenfalloch 

 roes. Seldom more than a pair at a time lodged in this quiet 

 retreat; but whenever these were killed off, others supplied 

 their room. As in most small plantations, the surest passes 

 were at a little distance from the wood ; and in this instance 

 our object was to intercept them when making for the hill on 

 their way to the next shelter. When flushed, they were almost 

 sure to choose one of three retreats ; but the two top escapes 

 (about 100 yards apart) might with vigilance and activity be 

 guarded by the same gun. Unless watched by eyes thoroughly 

 used to the sport, the roes were almost certain to flit spectre- 

 like into the burn track unperceived : in this case it was im- 

 possible to guess which of the two top escapes they would 

 attempt, until too late to change should they attempt the un- 

 guarded one. The quick and wary eye of a practised roe- 

 hunter seldom gave them this advantage ; and watching every 

 fall or rise in the intervening ground where a passing glimpse 

 might be snatched, he could with all but certainty predict their 

 course, and be ready to welcome them with a salute. I had 

 a particular fancy for these two passes, and by means of a 

 smart race between them now and then, killed six roes, and 

 did not allow a single escape to the hills. 1 



Our last hunting-day at Glenfalloch was perhaps the most 

 exciting and scientific I ever took part in. We had already 

 bagged 28 roes, and were careless of shooting more the day, 

 in fact, being intended for small game. The pair of larch- 

 trees which spanned the Falloch, claiming equal right with 

 the celebrated Menai to the title and dignity of bridge, had 



1 A woodcock was hiding within a few yards of the place where one of these 

 roes fell. It sprang when we were examining the dead animal, and was cut down 

 by a roe charge. 



