78 DEER-STALKING. CH. XXV. 



is taken up in following some bird or beast not 

 included in tlie game-book, and therefore not 

 deemed worthy of notice during the shooting season. 

 If my own larder or that of my friend is in want 

 of replenishing, I can fill it as well and quickly as 

 most people ; but at other times I like to take my 

 shooting quietly. In deer-stalking the solitary sports- 

 man has often great advantages, though his enjoy- 

 ment of the sport is much enhanced by the thought 

 that he has some friend, some " fidus Achates," 

 to whom he can relate the incidents of the day, and 

 who, following the same pursuits, will enjoy and 

 appreciate the account of the pains and fatigues 

 he has undergone before bringing down the noble 

 animal whose horns he exhibits in triumph. Much 

 of my deer-stalking time was spent alone, or at 

 most with no companionship save that of an ancient 

 and experienced Highlander, or a chance visitor — 

 some travelling laird or sportsman — who was as 

 glad to receive as I was to give provend and rest 

 for himself and horses. From these circumstances I 

 got into the habit of sketching off an account of 

 my day's wanderings, when they had been of that 

 kind that I felt I might say to myself " forsan et 

 hgec olim meminisse juvabit." 



I had more than once seen in a particular corrie, 

 or not far from it, a remarkably fine stag : his horns. 



