198 AMID THE HIGH HILLS 
\V. Hartley, a stalker of great experience, and the 
author of some most fascinating reminiscences 
on stalking. 
Every good sportsman is, of course, greatly 
distressed if he has the misfortune to wound a 
stag without being able to kill him. No matter 
what care may be exercised, it is impossible, even 
for the best of shots who has been accustomed to 
stalk for many years, not to experience some time 
or other a catastrophe of tliis kind. It is at any 
rate some slight consolation to know that Nature 
can effect the marvellous cures of which there is 
authentic record. 
Much can, no doubt, be done to improve one's 
shooting by regular practice. Some years ago 
I was discussing the subject with one of the old 
Highland proprietors who is a first-class rifle shot, 
and he told me that for many years he had been 
in the habit of practising shooting at a small 
wooden stag, which he had placed in all kinds of 
different positions and at different distances on 
the hill. He added that he was sure that this 
had greatly improved his shooting. This inter- 
ested me greatly, for I had for a long time 
been doing the same thing and am a great be- 
liever in its advantages. Amongst other things 
