66 DEER-STALKING 



the scene is as fresh in my memory as if it had 

 occurred last year. The kindling eye, the beam of 

 happiness with which his face glowed as if during 

 those few seconds while he was speaking there passed 

 before his mental vision many an episode of forest- 

 life, of sporting adventure in strath and glen, in the 

 wild and varied scenery to be found in the districts 

 from Reay in the north-west to Invermark in the 

 south-east, where he had been in the habit of enjoying 

 his favourite pursuit confirmed me at all events in 

 the opinion, which I have always held, that deer- 

 stalking is the king of wild sports. 



As this estimation of deer-stalking may not be 

 shared by sportsmen generally, a comparison between 

 its merits and those of other sports pursued in this 

 country may serve to justify the opinion which I 

 have expressed, and may perhaps prove interesting 

 to the reader. 



Without attempting anything like a classification 

 of the various kinds of sport which are to be found in 

 the British Isles, it will be admitted that four stand 

 out pre-eminent. These are deer-stalking, grouse- 

 shooting, salmon-fishing, and fox-hunting. Each of 

 these has its respective advocates, who will enthusi- 

 astically proclaim the superiority of their favourite 

 amusement. I have myself at various times enjoyed 



