226 STAGHUNTING WITH THE 



is abroad. Whenever one encounters Exmoor 

 deer one is struck by the difference which 

 long centuries of training have made in their 

 demeanour from that of their brethren north 

 of the Border. 



If deer in the Highlands get wind of a 

 human being they at once become uneasy, but 

 these noble animals take small account of 

 mankind, whether mounted or on foot, and so 

 long as one passes on and does not stop to 

 gaze at them as they stand or lie with eyes 

 fixed on your approach, they will hold their 

 own even though you pass to windward of their 

 lair, but if you should be accompanied by dog 

 or a hound, no matter how small a one he be, 

 they immediately become uneasy, they turn 

 their heads to and fro, some old hind stamps 

 a warning signal, or the oldest stag present 

 prods his nearest neighbour with his antler, 

 and then with a long jerking trot they glide 

 across the heathy carpet to turn and swing 

 round at a short distance, and then if the 

 scrutiny does not please them to break into 

 a lurching gallop which carries them in less 

 time than it takes to tell, round the nearest 

 shoulder of the rolling plain, and so away for 

 awhile until quieter ground is reached. If you 

 follow them as they go, it is pretty to see how 

 timid and distrustful they are of each object in 

 their path and how the leading hind will shy 



