STALKING IN PAAT FOREST 367 



In 1888 I was stalking in Paat Forest, and by- 

 reason of a snowstorm we were obliged to go out 

 with nightshirts over our coats and white handker- 

 chiefs on our caps. Many people will doubtless 

 remember how very early the snow fell that year, 

 indeed, it was earlier than the oldest gillies could 

 remember. It was in the most disconsolate tone 

 that the stalker called me at daylight, for he thought 

 that we should be doomed to perhaps a week's con- 

 finement to the lodge. However, after cheering him 

 up as best I could, a cold tub, and a good breakfast, I 

 went up to my room and put on a nightshirt over my 

 coat, and taking another on my arm, appeared at the 

 hall door. John Mathewson, the veteran keeper, was 

 there, waiting for me outside, for all the world as if it 

 were a fine summer's day, with no overcoat on, and 

 nothing but his great beard and pipe to keep the snow 

 out and console him. He exclaimed, ' Oh, man ! but 

 Mr. C. will have sport,' and he quite cheered up at once. 

 I offered him the other nightshirt, but instead of ac- 

 cepting it he said, * I'm thinking my wife's will fit 

 me best.' The lady, however, did not quite see it 

 in the same light ; but it did not matter whether she 

 did or not ; I gave my second shirt to the gillie, and 

 away we went, stalking for the first time in my life 

 in snow, the latter so deep as at times to come 

 over our hips, and many a gully poor John, who was 

 in front of me, tumbled into up to his neck, where the 

 snow had drifted. I never saw it worse even when 

 hind-shooting. I have been in many forests in my 

 time, but never did I experience such a wet time as 

 we had during this visit to Paat. It snowed three 

 days running, and then rained for three days, 



