212 AMID THE HIGH HILLS 
path which I do not know. This unpleasant 
incident made us later than ever, and I did not 
get back to the lodge until nearly 10 p.m. 
The following season I was again stalking in 
the same forest, and on my first day was on the 
same beat where I had had the misfortune to 
wound the stag, as described above, and the same 
stalker was once more with me. I asked him 
whether he had heard anything of the wounded 
stag, and he replied, " Nothing whatever," add- 
ing that although he was sure that the near 
hind leg was broken, he could not be sure in the 
darkness at what part exactly, but he thought it 
was low down. 
We began by spying a corrie, which was about 
three miles from the place where 1 had wounded 
the stag in the previous season, and presently 
found five shootable stags which were together. 
After watching them for a time, Sandy said, 
" There are two much bigger than the others — 
one a dark beast ; he's a good stag, with only one 
horn." 
" All right ! " I said. " Let's shoot him ; 
he'll be interesting anyhow." 
We then stalked the stags and managed to get 
within about 120 yards of them. As soon as I 
