10 AMID THE HIGH HILLS 
fore it is always wise to satisfy one's self in the 
matter as far as possible. Still more is this 
essential when stalking alone. In stalking alone 
there is this advantage, that one can always 
secure the best position in which to shoot, whereas 
if one is accompanied by a stalker, he sometimes 
takes that position himself and it is not easy to 
get him to move on, or, as is more often the case, 
there is no time for him to do so. 
Mr. Charles J. Murray of Loch Carron, to 
whose kindness I am indebted for many delightful 
days' stalking, is particularly devoted to this form 
of sport. A few seasons ago I was obliged to 
come south before the end of the stalking season, 
and received from him a letter which describes, 
far better than I can, the pleasure of being out 
alone on the hill. 
" You are missing the West Coast," he wrote, 
" at its {weather) best ! for we have a spell of 
gloriously fine weather when the stag can hear a 
footstep half a mile off, and the wind is so gentle 
that it cannot make up its mind which way to go, 
but strays gently to and fro and round in little 
circles, stimulating evil words among the stalkers. 
" Yesterday I was out alone and worked up 
to a Pasha and his Ilarem — the ladies between 
