82 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



moors, uncouple their dogs, one at five o'clock and the other 

 at eight, and compare notes at two in the afternoon, the lazy 

 man will have the heavier game-bag, and his ground will be 

 in the best order for the deadly time of the day, to say 

 nothing of his competitor's disadvantage from having fruit- 

 lessly wasted his own strength and that of his dogs, when 

 many of the packs would not allow him to come within reach. 

 My advice, therefore, to the young grouse-shooter, is always to 

 wait till the dew is dry on the heather. If he starts at eight 

 o'clock, and travels the moors as he ought, there is time 

 enough before dark to put his powers to the proof, however 

 he may pique himself upon them. I do not mean to say he 

 must run over the ground, but keep up a steady determined 

 walk, up-hill and down-hill, without flagging for an instant, 

 unless the dogs come upon the scent of game. Of all sports, 

 grouse-shooting is the most laborious. None can stand a 

 comparison with it except deer-stalking ; and yet the veriest 

 " soft," puffing and blowing at every step, may put off a whole 

 day upon the moors travelling them I will not call it and 

 boast after dinner that " he wonders how people can find 

 grouse -shooting so toilsome and fatiguing; fox-hunting is 

 much more so ! " 



There are a few rules which a man not accustomed to 

 climb hills will find his account in observing, if he would 

 escape the suppressed smile of derision which his flagging 

 will be sure to excite from the sturdy hillman who carries 

 his bag. One is, to eat a very light breakfast; another, to 

 drink as little as possible but especially no spirits and water. 

 If you can hold out without drinking till your luncheon- or 

 dinner-time, your thirst will never be very oppressive ; but 

 once begin, and the difficulty of passing a clear brook is very 

 much increased. The provision-basket should only consist of 

 a cold fowl or a few sandwiches, and a bottle of table-beer or 

 light ale. When you again begin your exertions, make your 

 attendant carry a bottle of strong tea, without cream or sugar, 



