32 DEER-STALKING. 



rash and nervous, and even if all goes well with the 

 stalk and the shooter miss, it will all be put down to 

 that "dommed turning back." The feeling is stronger, 

 but the same as may have been experienced by some 

 of my readers if they are whist-players. There are 

 times when one cuts into a rubber feeling certain to 

 lose it, and how often does success follow such a 

 presentiment ? 



.. At last being fairly under weigh, an hour or so on 

 pony-back or on foot will bring you to the spying-stone, 

 or spot from which it is customary to take the first spy 

 of the ground to be stalked. It is by no means easy to' 

 search a corrie properly with the glass. If there is but 

 a gentle breeze, the walking-stick planted firmly in the 

 earth will give sufficient support to keep the glass 

 steady. The best spying position is to lie nearly flat 

 on the back, with a stone or tussock of grass to rest the 

 shoulders against ; then drawing up the knees, hold the 

 glass firmly against the left knee, and you will be able 

 to hold it perfectly steady in a high wind. Practice 

 alone will make an adept in " picking up " deer, but 

 absolute immovability of the glass is the first thing to 

 ensure success. If deer are lying quite still in broken 

 ground the novice may often have the exact spot 

 pointed out to him, and yet be quite unable to find 

 them. Spying is usually a moist process, and some 

 who fear rheumatism and dislike sitting on wet moss, 

 fasten a small square of mackintosh to their coats, 

 and on this they can sit while spying, and put it into 

 their pocket when the spy is over ; if it is not fastened 

 to the coat it will almost surely be left behind them 



