OCCUPATIONS OF FOREST LODGE. 249 



hounds, to put up the deer ; while Sir William St. Clair, 

 posting himself in the best situation for slipping his dogs, 

 prayed devoutly to Christ, the blessed Virgin, and St. 

 Katherine. The deer was shortly after roused, and the dogs 

 slipped, Sir William following on a gallant steed to cheer 

 them. The hind, however, reached the middle of the brook, 

 upon which the hunter threw himself from his horse in 

 despair. At this critical moment, however, Hold stopped 

 her in the brook ; and Help coming up, turned her back 

 and killed her on Sir William's side. The king, descend- 

 ing from the hill, embraced Sir William, and bestowed on 

 him the lands of Kirkton, Loganhouse, Earucraig, etc., in 

 free forestrie." 



The tomb of this Sir AVilliam St. Clair, on which he 

 appears sculptured in armour, with a greyhound at his feet, 

 is still to be seen in Roslin chapel. 



CHAPTER XI. 



Occupation of Forest Lodge. Autumnal blasts. Sullen fuel. The sport begins. Deer 

 stalker distressed. A sharp walk. Lying in ambush. The fatal spot reached 

 Herd in jeopardy. Peter Eraser's humanity. His penmanship. The lament. The 

 moors. 



" Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the north, 

 The birthplace of valour, the country of worth : 

 "Wherever I wander, wherever I rove, 

 The hills of the Highlands for ever I love." 



A. MACDONALD. 



I HAVE elsewhere observed, that I have forborne to recount 

 my most successful days on the hills, as not always being 

 fraught with any very marked interest ; I now, however, 

 proceed to relate the events of one auspicious day, which, 

 as it was my last, so it was, perhaps, my best. It will prove 

 that the method of stalking deer in quick time, where the 

 forest is sufficiently extensive to admit of such sport, is 

 frequently accompanied by the most abundant results. 

 Three or four skilful attendants you must have for this 

 17 



