176 DAYS OF DEER-STALKING, 



alone take such a fancy, my nature is not so cruel as to 

 baulk them of their intent, since in that case I shall get a 

 shot or two without prejudice to the general sport ; it 

 therefore this should happen, we will conduct ourselves 

 with liberality, and suffer them to take their own with- 

 out let or hindrance; and now, whilst we are waiting 

 here, you may as well tell me what sport there has been at 

 Dalnaspiedel." 



" I didna hear aething anent the moor-fowl at Dalna- 

 spiedel ; but I heard that the English gentlemen killed five 

 deer at Dalnacardoch." 



" Five deer ! Deer at Dalnacardoch ? How could they 

 possibly come into deer in such ground as that ? What 

 clever fellows they must be ! " 



" And clever chiels they were sure eueuch, for they got 

 intill them without fashing themselves much aboot the 

 matter ; but the gentlemen, some gait or anither, had not 

 studied nature, so that when they brought hame the beasties, 

 the guidman at the inn couldna agree wi' them in opinion, 

 though he is a very civil man too ; for Sandy said that the 

 five deer were five goats, whilst the gentlemen said that the 

 five goats were five deer ; but, sure eneuch, they had all 

 beards, were wee beasties, and smelt like goats all over." 



" Well, Peter, and how did all this end ? " 



" Why at last, then, they (that's the deer-stalkers) began 

 to think that Sandy was richt, and that the deer were goats; 

 so they behaved very handsome, and gave the farmer a 

 hantle o' siller for their day's sport, being sorry for the mis- 

 take they had made : and it's mair the pity they didna 

 prove to be deer ; but it's no that easy to turn the like of 

 an old goat into a fine hart." 



" Well, Peter, I do not think that the sport was so bad 

 after all ; for I believe that the chamois, in chase of which 

 the Swiss risk their lives, and are out for days together on 

 mountains of eternal ice and snow, is little better than a 

 great goat after all." 



" I didna hear of sic a beast mysel ; but I ken, by yer 

 honour's account, he is no worth the speering at." 



The moment had now arrived for starting the deer; and 

 the signal was given, that every one might go on in good 



