ECHOES OF THE CHASE 45 



CHAPTER III 



ECHOES OF THE CHASE 



THE sculptured stones of ancient Scotland are elo- 

 quent witnesses to the early history of our forefathers. 

 The carvings which have survived the vicissitudes 

 of centuries are crude in form, as well as simple in 

 the ideas which they serve to embody. None the 

 less vividly do they portray for us the stormy days 

 amidst which the Celt held his own against many 

 odds, and ruled the shores and hillsides of his native 

 country. The numerous hunting scenes, in par- 

 ticular, possess a certain fascination for men who 

 sympathise with the hardships and perils of the chase. 

 Full of vigour were the brawny spearsmen of those 

 days, as bold in spearing the monarch of the glen as 

 in fighting for the sacred cause of hearth and home. 

 The spear was often replaced by the flight of a well- 

 poised arrow ; but whatever weapon served the 

 necessity of the hour, the hunter's success depended 



