PREFACE. 9 



I have thought it desirable to describe the motions of the 

 red deer under every variety of pursuit and danger to 

 them ; to set forth their great sagacity and self-possession ; 

 their courage and noble bearing; the bay ; the method in 

 which they are prepared for being taken home ; and many 

 particulars relating to their natural history and habits. 



I have attempted also to illustrate all the essential points 

 that occur in stalking deer, both in slow and quick time, 

 and to describe all the various turns and accidents of the 

 chase drawn from actual experience. This, I thought, 

 could be best done by the recital of moderate sport, since a 

 long catalogue of deer, killed in succession on the same 

 day, unaccompanied by some striking or unusual incident^ 

 would only be a tedious repetition of events similar to 

 each other. In practice, however, I did my best, as fine 

 venison was always in request. If my success was occa- 

 sionally very considerable, it must be recollected that the 

 deer were numerous, and that I was assisted by clever 

 scouts. The being my own stalker, also, was an advantage 

 that long practice enabled me to profit from : no one, 

 I think, can make the best of events when his move- 

 ments are controlled by others, and are a mystery to him- 

 self. 



To the courtesy of the noblemen and gentlemen, pro- 



