234 WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS chap. 



long as the ground would allow. Where we lost it, it seemed 

 to point down the little burn, which soon lost itself to our view 

 in a gorge of bare rocks. We proceeded now very cautiously, 

 and taking up our station on a concealed ledge of one of the 

 rocks, began to search the valley below with our telescopes. 

 It was a large flat, strewed with huge slabs of stone, and sur- 

 rounded on all sides but one with dark rocks. At the farther 

 end were two black lochs, connected by a sluggish stream ; 

 beside the larger loch a bit of coarse grass and rushes, where 

 we could distinguish a brgod of wild ducks swimming in and 

 out. It was difficult ground to see a deer in, if lying ; and 

 I had almost given up seeking, when Donald's glass became 

 motionless, and he gave a sort of grunt as he changed his 

 posture, but without taking the glass froiil his eye. " Ugh ! 

 I'm thinking yon's him, sir : I'm seeing his horns." I was at 

 first incredulous. What he showed me close to the long grass 

 I have mentioned looked for all the world Hke some withered 

 sticks ; but the doubt was short. While we gazed the stag 

 rose and commenced feeding ; and at last I saw the great hart 

 of Benmore ! He was a long way off, perhaps a mile and a 

 half, but in excellent ground for getting at him. Our plan 

 was soon arranged. I was to Stalk him with the rifle, while 

 Donald, with my gun and Bran, was to get round, out of sight, 

 to the pass by which the deer was likely to leave the valley. 

 My task was apparently very easy. After getting down behind 

 the rock I had scarcely to stoop my head, but to walk up 

 within shot, so favourable was the ground and the wind. I 

 walked cautiously, however, and slowly, to give Donald time 

 to reach the pass. I was now within three hundred yards of 

 him, when, as I leant against a slab of stone, all hid below my 

 eyes, I saw him give a sudden start, stop feeding, and look 

 round suspiciously. What a noble beast ! what a stretch of 

 antler ! with a mane like a lion ! He stood for a minute or 

 two, snuffing every breath. I could not guess the cause of his 

 alarm ; it was not myself — the light wind blew fair down from 

 him upon me ; and I knew Donald would give him no inkling 

 of his whereabouts. He presently began to move, and came at 

 a slow trot directly towards me. My pulse beat high. Another 

 hundred yards forward and he is mine ! But it was not so to 

 be. He took the top of a steep bank which commanded my 



