M V FIRST STALK 35 1 



horror-struck face. It never occurred to me that he 

 knew nothing about hunting, and that I was making 

 an ass of myself, which I was, for, as he remarked, 

 ' You have frightened all the deers out of our beat, and 

 we may just go awa hame.' And so I had my first 

 lesson in stalking. I am a quiet enough stalker now, 

 and have succeeded in training others to be the same ; 

 but it is all owning to Donald Eraser's being so severe 

 with me on the occasion of my first stalk. My first shot 

 had struck the deer on the left foot, which was curled 

 up under his heart, between hair and hoof — about the 

 sorest spot deer can be struck in, causing the poor 

 beasts such agony that they have been known to go 

 and lie down after going a short distance if struck 

 there. We found that all three shots had taken effect ; 

 the second shot was a slanting side-shot, entering at 

 the fifth left rib, and coming out high near the right 

 shoulder, thereby proving that the third shot was un- 

 necessary. But who would not make sure of his first 

 stag, and that a fine ten-pointer, weighing a good 

 1/ stone 12 lb. ? 



The hind-drive last year was about the worst sport, 

 as far as I was concerned, I ever experienced, I 

 received a telegram on a Sunday asking me to go and 

 shoot hinds the next day, and my rifle being at the 

 gunmaker's, I had to accept on the condition that the 

 loan of a rifle could be added to the invitation. 

 This was kindly acceded to, and I started merrily 

 enough, and eventually reached my destination. The 

 next morning was soft and mild, and the wind 

 westerly, more like spring than winter, and this for 

 Christmas week was good luck, as I have a strong 

 objection to shooting hinds when they are up to their 



