190 DAYS OF DEER-STALKING. 



and if it does, the gaol at Perth is large enough to hold 

 you, and all the poachers in Badenoch, though ye are a 

 numerous progeny." 



" I winna say that I will gang entirely wi'out my sport, 

 for I cauna aye be wanting venison ; but yer Grace shall 

 never find me in yer forest again. There's mony a stoot 

 hart in Glenfiddock, and mouy a yell hind in the pine woods 

 of Braemar, let alone Gaig and Glen Feshie ; and I will 

 leave the braes of Atholl for yer Grace to tak yer pleasure 

 in, and never fash them more since ye request the favour." 



Thus ended a deer hunt, fit for the recreation of King 

 Jamie ; and although stags were not slain by hundreds, as 

 Lesley has chronicled, or by scores, as the water poet has 

 recounted both of which accounts I hold to be gross 

 exaggerations yet the sport probably was quite as ample 

 in proportion to the numbers engaged in it, and the small 

 space of time that was occupied in bringing down the deer. 



The glen, too, as in times of yore, was graced by the 

 presence of many a fair and noble dame who had been 

 waiting the termination of the drive in the mountain lodges; 

 indeed, it is recorded that ladies of high station have not 

 only felt a great inclination towards this noble sport, but 

 have actually engaged in it. 



" Her Majesty" (Queen Elizabeth), says a courtier, writing 

 to Sir Robert Sidney, " is well and excellently disposed to 

 hunting ; for every second day she is on horseback, and 

 continues the sport long." At this time she was in her 

 seventy-seventh year, and was then at her palace at Oat- 

 lands.* 



The party now proceeded to the hospitable halls of Blair; 

 where we will leave them, amidst cultivated society and 

 high-born beauty. 



" To fight their battles o'er again, 

 And thrice to slay the slain." 



* There are various other notices of the delight this Queen took in the 

 diversion of killing the stag. 



