298 FORESTS OF SCOTLAND. 



for the excellence of bis deer-hounds : who, indeed, has uot 

 heard of the remarkable feats of Hector ? He tried various 

 crosses, particularly with a small blood-hound ; and their 

 capacity of following a cold scent is said to have been so 

 wonderful, that one of them actually pursued a wounded 

 deer for the space of three days, the hunters at nightfall 

 stopping at the last distinct impression of the deer's hoof, 

 and covering it with stones; when the stones were removed 

 at daylight, the hound was put upon the scent, and went 

 forward as keenly as ever.* 



Many of Glengarry's dogs met the fate common to all 

 high-couraged ones, and were occasionally wounded by the 

 antlers of the stag at bay, or fell over precipices in turning 

 a sharp corner during the heat of the chase. 



With what romantic ardour the late Glengarry followed 

 up the exciting amusement of deer-stalking, is well known 

 throughout Scotland. He would go forth in his kilt, and 

 remain on the hills for a week together, sleeping in the 

 open air. When the stag was at bay, he would sometimes 

 have a close engagement with him, using his gun-stock, or 

 skene-dhu, and, though often in peril, was ever successful. 

 Stout-hearted and enthusiastic as he was, nothing could 

 obstruct his course : when his dogs once held a stag at bay 

 in an island in Loch Garry, no boat being at hand, he placed 

 a knife in his handkerchief, which he bound round his head, 

 swam lustily through the waters, and completed his victory. 

 This was wild sport, indeed ; but he had an adventurous 

 and a gallant spirit, and was a true son of the mountains. 



THE DUKE OF GORDON'S DEER FORESTS. 



AT page 100 will be found an account of the former posses- 

 sions of the Earls of Huntly. As some changes of conse- 

 quence have taken place in latter times, perhaps it may be 

 as well to note the more modern measurement and divisions 



* It must be borne in mind that a wounded deer would not hurry on 

 unless closely pressed, so that the scent was not so stale as it would appear 

 from this account. 



