DEER-SHOOTING AND OTHER MATTERS. 9 1 



the lovely scenery, the bright, fresh, exhilarating air, that 

 gives such a wonderful charm to these interminable 

 mountains and valleys. No description cau convey 

 the beauty of the autumn foliage. The chestnut, oak, 

 and maple present at this season the richest and most 

 varied colours. Numerous species of fir spring in 

 clumps and single trees among the golden and russet 

 tints of the first-mentioned trees and shrubs. Masses 

 of grey rocks, and clear rushing streams, add to the 

 great beauty and wildness of the scenery. 



The spaniel I had was without exception the 

 keenest dog after deer I ever saw. I have pointed to 

 the track of a stag in the sand which I had noted 

 passing over the spot two hours and a half before, and 

 she started the animal after following the scent through 

 thick cover and over rocks for half a mile. She would 

 take to the water after a deer without a moment's hesi- 

 tation; and I remember her once coming up with a 

 dying stag which had swum off into the sea, and scram- 

 bling on to its back. Three or four hours was nothing 

 for her to stick to the scent, there appeared no tiring 

 or shaking her off. If she got thrown off the scent, 

 the little creature would pick oat a conspicuous ridge 

 or peak on her way back to where she had left me, and, 

 sitting on her haunches, would bark in quite a different 



