344 MY FIRST STA LK 



They tried to initiate me into the mysteries of stalking 

 during our journey, nor could any pupil have received 

 better advice or tuition from those better able to im- 

 part it. 



' Never fire at a deer till you are cool,' ' Take plenty 

 of time,' etc. Such was the kind of advice given me, 

 nor have I ever forgotten it ; and they told me that, as 

 I had been at Wimbledon, if I followed these golden 

 rules I had a very fair chance of being successful. 

 Lord Lovat then asked to see my rifle, and I 

 proudly produced a double rifle made by Lang. 

 He looked admiringly at it, remarking that it was 

 a masterpiece, slyly adding that if a stag were missed 

 with such a weapon the fault would rest with the user. 

 Nevertheless, I may as well add that, having been in 

 the habit of pigeon-shooting at the Gun Club, it took 

 me many a day, and I missed many an easy chance, 

 before I could make anything like steady shooting at 

 deer, for I had got into the habit of shooting too 

 quickly ; but after many days' meditation on the 

 subject, and the kind help given me by my hosts, I by 

 degrees improved, and was able to carry out their 

 advice and avoid being flurried unless I was blown by 

 being foolish enough to try to keep up to the pace of 

 the stalker. No one can help being delighted when 

 for the first time he finds himself in one of the most 

 beautiful of the Scotch glens ; the scenery and the 

 prospect of sport enchanted me, and the dear old 

 lord was delighted at witnessing my interest and 

 pleasure. 



At length we reached the lodge, and, after a sumptuous 

 dinner, retired to bed at ten o'clock, as we had to be up 

 before daylight. I spent a night of troubled dreams; 



