168 DAYS OF DEER-STALKING. 



These drives took place ouly when the wiud was favourable, 

 and, at such a time it was pretty easy to calculate at what 

 hour the deer would come iu sight. 



It was not unusual for the drivers to collect a herd of 

 five or six hundred head ; and, occasionally, when they 

 came down into the glen, broke into parcels, and turned 

 back upon the drivers, the scene was splendid and ani- 

 mated, and the firing became very general ; after the shots, 

 dogs were turned loose, for the chance of bringing some of 

 the fat sluggards to bay, and an excellent one it was. 



Sportsmen, whose discretion and forbearance could be 

 relied upon, were occasionally sent with the drivers, one at 

 each wing, but it was their duty to consult the general 

 sport, and not to get forward and fire, unless deer broke 

 fairly out, lest they should turn the whole herd. 



A scene so full of novel interest caused many a fluttering 

 heart on the previous day, and many a feverish dream at 

 night. Visions of deer, perhaps, came and vanished amidst 

 broken slumbers ; then the restless sleeper was lost and 

 bewildered amongst mountains and torrents ; then came a 

 sudden start, as if falling from a precipice ; lastly, and, oh, 

 worst of all ! an attempt to pull the trigger at a monstrous 

 hart, without being able to effect the explosion of the rifle. 



At length the shades of night pass away, and the morning 

 breaks forth fair and beautiful. 



THE DEER-STALKER'S RHYMES. 

 By the Hon. T. H. LIDDELL. 



AWAKE and be stirring, the daylight's appearing, 

 The wind's in the south, and the mountains are clearing ; 

 A thousand wild deer in the forest are feeding, 

 And many a hart before night shall be bleeding. 



Make ready both rifles the old and the new 



And sharpen the edge of the rusted skene-dhu ! 



Let your telescopes gleam in the rising sun ; 



We'll have need of them all ere the day's work be done. 



The laddie was off before light to Glen Tilt, 

 And Fascally's laird has just tied on his kilt ; 

 And Peter and Charlie are waiting below 

 The cloud-mantled summits of huge Ben-y-gloe. 



