CHAP. XXI SUDDEN APPROACH OF A STAG 193 



stubble field does not, in my eyes, constitute a sportsman ; 

 though there is a certain interest attached even to this kind of 

 pursuit, arising more from observing the cleverness and instinct 

 of the dogs employed, than in killing the birds. But far differ- 

 ent is the enjoyment derived from stalking the red-deer ^ in his 

 native mountain, where every energy of the sportsman must be 

 called into active use before he can command success. 



Well do I remember the mountain-side where I shot my 

 first stag, and though many years have since passed by, I could 

 now, were I to pass through that wild and lovely glen, lay my 

 hand on the very rock under which he fell. 



Though a good rifle-shot, indeed few were much better, 

 there seemed a charm against my killing a deer. On two 

 occasions, eagerness and fear of missing shook my hand when 

 I ought to have killed a fine stag. The second that I ever 

 shot at came in my way in a very singular manner. 



I had been looking during the chief part of the day for 

 deer, and had, according to appointment, met an attendant 

 with my gun and pointers at a particular spring in the hills, 

 meaning to shoot my way home. This spring was situated in 

 the midst of a small green spot, like an oasis in the desert, sur- 

 rounded on all sides by a long stretch of broken black ground. 

 The well itself was in a little round hollow, surrounded by high 

 banks. 



I was resting here, having met my gillie, and was consoling 

 myself for my want of success by smoking a cigar, when, at the 

 same moment, a kind of shadow came across me, and the 

 pointers who were coupled at my feet pricked up their ears 

 and growled, with their eyes fixed on some object behind me. 

 My keeper, who had been out with me all day, was stretched 

 on his back, in a half slumber, and the gillie was kneeling down 

 taking a long draught at the cool well, with the enjoyment of 

 one who had had a long toiling walk on a hot August day. 

 Turning my head lazily to see what had roused the dogs, and 

 had cast its shadow across me, instead of a shepherd, as I 

 expected — could I believe my eyes ! — there stood a magnificent 

 stag, with the fine-shaped horns peculiar to those of the Suther- 

 land forests. He was standing on the bank immediately behind 



< In the forests or grounds cleared of sheep the red-deer has increased considerably 

 of late years. — C. St. J. 



O 



