24 DEER-STALKING. 



Whatever the stimulant with which the flask is 

 filled, carry it in your own pocket, for it is quite extra- 

 ordinary how unfortunate some gillies are, and the 

 very best made flasks will come unscrewed or leak ! 

 Some stalkers carry cold tea, and any one with a 

 penchant for this should always carry whiskey as well, so 

 as to be able to offer a wee drappie to stalker or shepherd. 



Fancy offering a highlander a sup of cold tea after 

 he had just gralloched a " royal"'! Unless indeed both 

 master and man liked tea it would be almost an insult. 

 The author does know of one solitary case where the 

 double event takes place, and master and forester 

 never take anything but cold tea, and can do as hard 

 a day and shoot as straight as any ; and when the 

 echoes of Ben Alder ring to the report of this gentle- 

 man's rifle, it usually bodes ill for the stag. Let the 

 shooter rejoice if his attendant be a temperance man ; 

 as a rule they will physically outstay the others, and 

 are greatly to be desired, whether as stalkers, keepers, 

 or gillies. 



At the end of the day, if it is to be got at any 

 farmhouse near, a glass of milk with a dash of whiskey 

 in it is an excellent pick-me-up; then light the pipe 

 and away home best pace you can. 



With reference to lighting pipes, it will be wiser 

 not to follow the example of most stalkers, and do this 

 at the foot of a fifteen hundred foot hill, which he will 

 ascend without a halt, puffing the while placidly at his 

 black twist. Choose a better and more comfortable 

 time, for what is pleasure to him will likely enough 

 be exactly the reverse to his gentleman. 



