364 STAGHUNTING WITH THE 



after an acquaintanceship with the sport of a 

 few weeks only, seems to come natural to the 

 townsman out for a holiday. 



Human nature comes out wonderfully amongst 

 the petty trials and dangers and discomforts 

 of the hunting field, and if a man be naturally 

 self assertive or quarrelsome or selfish, he is 

 almost sure to show it when his outward 

 veneer of good manners is rubbed off in the 

 excitement of a quick thing over difficult 

 ground. Anv person, whether man or woman, 

 who can be a true ladv or gentleman through- 

 out a long day's hunting, need never fear to 

 hnd themselves in any circumstances or in any 

 company. Blood will always tell, and education 

 never fails to leave its mark, and the regular 

 habitues of a hunt get to know each other 

 more intimately perhaps than in any other form 

 of society, being thrown together more often and 

 for longer hours and under circumstances more 

 trying to temper than in any other way. 



There has been discussion without end as to 

 the advisability of using firearms to despatch a 

 deer that stands at bav in some spot where 

 he or she cannot be immediately approached, 

 and there are no doubt one or two occasions 

 each season when the employment of such 

 means would be merciful. 



To lay down a hard and fast rule, however, 

 that an arm of precision should always be called 



