54 CHAPTER VIII. 



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view of the character of the day we had better go back than run the 

 chance of frightening this lot out of the forest altogether. 



The Sanctuary probably carries a good deal of its purpose of being 

 to your mind by its name. It was a certain portion of the forest 

 well toward the center where the deer were never to be shot, to 

 which they could flee when fired upon and from which, on no account 

 were they to be frightened. You can see how necessary such a place 

 would be. Otherwise if deer were shot all over the place without regard 

 to the preservation of the stock it would only be a little time until 

 there would be nothing more to shoot. 



To preserve a deer forest after it has been established is a task 

 which requires much knowledge and patience. To a certain extent 

 the fact that all the country round about, immediately adjacent to the 

 forest, is also divided into shooting grounds where deer are hunted 

 is a help, because the animals can find safety only in places set aside 

 and maintained for the purpose. Then an occasional owner places a 

 line fence, sometimes one which is deer tight; and that is liable to 

 make trouble. 



In any event great care is always used in the way one shoots ; for 

 instance both because it is felt the deer ought to have a chance, and 

 for the reason that many shots close together would have a tendency 

 to over-frighten the deer, two, or at the outside, three shots at any 

 one animal are the limit. No hinds are ever shot except where the 

 forest is overstocked with female deer or when the hinds are unde- 

 sirable for breeding purposes. The younger stags are also immune, 

 except those that bid fair to grow up into unlikely sires. 



A deer forest such as that upon which we were shooting would 

 ordinarily lease for 2,500 guineas, or practically $12,500 per year. In 

 addition to this sum a tenant would have to pay the stalkers and gillies 

 and defray from his own pocket numerous incidental expenses. You 

 can see that the sportsman who has a deer forest by ownership or 

 lease is prepared to pay well for his fun. As far as I am concerned 

 I cannot see where he could get more real sport at the price. 



The Captain and the Warrior came in rather draggled earlier than 

 usual, after having been unable to get a shot. 



I went into Corrie Comblaureau or something like that the next 

 day. I give you my word for it, if my life were forfeit I could not 



