124 AMID THE HIGH HILLS 
wounded on other ground, he will assuredly make 
for the sanctuary in that forest. So, too, if he 
has been born and reared in a particular part of 
the forest and has come to regard that place as 
his home, he will struggle to reach it if wounded. 
One interesting illustration of this has come 
within my own experience, and another was 
related to me by the stalker who was with me 
on the occasion referred to. 
I was stalking in a forest upon part of which 
unusual conditions prevailed. That part which 
was nearest to the lodge was enclosed by a deer 
fence, but, owing to careful management, and the 
introduction from time to time of fresh stock, 
there are some very good heads in this part of the 
forest. I always prefer, however, when I have 
the chance, to stalk on the open ground outside 
tjie fence, although it means harder work, as it is 
the far beat and part of it is on very high and 
precipitous ground. It has, however, this gi-eat 
fascination — that one never knows what sort of 
stag one may find there. The forest itself is an 
exceptionally good one, and marches with several 
of the finest forests in the Highlands. 
On the day in question I was on the far beat 
and secured a good stag after an exciting stalk. 
