2 l6 
WILD BEASTS AND THEIR WA YS 
CHAP. 
but there is nothing for the shooters but to lie 
hidden in the positions allotted to them, and to 
shoot well when the opportunity offers. On the 
other hand, stalking requires a profound knowledge 
of the habits of red-deer, and thorough experience 
in the geography of the locality, together with 
patience, coolness, and bodily activity. We will 
assume that the weather is not bad, and that we 
start for a day upon the hills. The dress will be 
arranged for easy walking, and for concealment from 
view. I object to the kilt strongly, as it swings, and 
any object in movement is liable to attract attention. 
Bare knees are not adapted for crawling along the 
spiky stumps of burnt heather. There is nothing 
better than heather - mixture of strong tweed 
trousers, and a Norfolk shirt; certainly no white 
collar. 
The attendants are very few. A gillie, a mile in 
the rear with his pony and deer-saddle to bring 
home the dead. Another gillie, who leads a brace 
of deer-hounds in the slips, about 200 yards behind 
you. The keeper who accompanies you, and who 
will severely test your patience unless you make 
him thoroughly understand, before you start, that he 
is to keep quiet, and in no way whisper, tug you by 
the sleeve, or offer advice at a critical moment; 
but that he is to remain a dumb companion. This 
is all that you require. 
Stalking is tolerably hard work upon some deer- 
forests, although easy walking upon others. We 
will say that the month is September, at which time 
