4 THE KEEPER'S BOOK 



skill with energy, but even in good keepers the com- 

 bination is rare. An ideal keeper, in our view, would 

 combine the sporting capacities of the Highlander with 

 the energy and perseverance of the Lowlander. The 

 first has probably more insight and general intelligence, 

 the latter more initiative and energy. As Mr. Stuart 

 Wortley has so aptly said : " Highlanders are, as all 

 the world knows, a very fine race of men, courageous 

 and loyal, courteous and amiable they make the best 

 sportsmen and the best soldiers in the world ; but they 

 are neither so practical nor so energetic under ordinary 

 conditions as the northern Englishman, and laziness is 

 their great failing." 



The fact of the matter is that the Highlander is 

 a born hunter, and the descendant of a long line of 

 hunters. His ancestors having been brought up under 

 the clan system, "blue" blood runs in his veins, and 

 his instincts are still strong for fighting and hunting, 

 not for butt-building and draining. He is a lineal 

 descendant of men of the type of Maclean of Ardgour, 

 " strong Donald the hunter, Macgillean Mohr." 



Low down by yon burn that's half-hidden with heather, 



He lurked like a lion, in the lair he knew well, 

 'Twas there sobbed the red-deer to feel his keen dagger, 



There pierced by his arrow, the cailzie cock fell. 

 How oft when at e'en he would watch for the wild fowl, 



Like lightning his coracle sped from the shore ; 

 But still, and for aye, as we cross the lone Lochan, 



Is Donald the hunter Macgillean Mohr. 



Time and circumstances of civilisation have done 

 much to modify the Highland spirits and instincts, but 



