A Sportsman at Large 121 



My next endeavour at stag slaughter was supported by 

 Grant and a ghillie of the name of Anderson. 



Now it happens that Glencalater marches with the royal 

 forest. 



At the time I am dealing with, the old Queen Victoria 

 was on the throne and was then in residence at Balmoral 

 Castle. 



A good story, but one which has only an indirect connection 

 with sport, is told touching Her Majesty's visits to an old ex- 

 servatrix of the Royal Household, who had been pensioned and 

 established in a picturesque cabin on the further shores of 

 Loch Calater. 



It was the good Queen's custom to visit the old lady on a 

 Sabbath afternoon, bringing her various delicacies and taking 

 tea with her in homely fashion. In order to reach the cabin, 

 Her Majesty was wont to be rowed across the loch by " a couple 

 o' braw laddies." One day a distinguished traveller (possibly 

 none other than " Pan " Gordon himself) was talking to 

 Maggie Macfarlane (for such was the old crone's name) about 

 the Queen's informal visits. 



"I'm sure, Mrs. Macfarlane," he said, " you ought to be proud 

 to think the Great Queen is so kind and friendly to you." 



" Oo, ay," replied the old lady, " ah'm prood enow; bet 

 ah dinna like Her-r Meejistee a rowin' a the loch o' the Saw- 

 bath'.' 



" Oh, come," exclaimed the visitor. " Surely there's no 

 great harm in that ? Why, have you forgotten that Our Lord 

 rowed on the Sea of Galilee on the Sabbath ? " 



" Oo ay certes oor Lor-r'd ded ; bet foreby ah n'ere thoct 

 the better-r-r o' Him fer doiri it I " 



This by the way. 



It was explained to me by Grant that one of the finest of 

 the Royal herds was prone to cross the boundary just before 

 dusk for the purpose of drinking at a small tarn, which was 

 Well within the limits of the Glencalater Forest. 



With this fact in view, I was posted behind a convenient 

 boulder, about fifty yards from the water, where, crouching in 

 the high heather, I was well concealed. 



Grant and Anderson then took cover on an adjacent hillock, 



