British Deer and their Horns 
46 
few places where roe are regularly stalked in the sportsmanlike manner they deserve) they 
will dash off at once, whilst the larger animal will commonly “ bide a wee, to make 
sure whether the thing in front of him is really as dangerous as it looks. Till 1888 my 
experience with roe lay almost entirely in heavily-wooded districts, where the animals are 
seldom seen in the open except when crossing from one plantation to another ; but since 
that time I have had many opportunities for seeing them in open ground where red deer 
were likewise numerous, and have been immensely struck with their keen powers of 
GETTING THE WIND 
observation. With stags one could venture to take a certain degree of liberty which no 
old roebuck in his senses would stand for a moment. 
Anent the sight and senses of deer there is a tale about Landseer which, so far as 
I am aware, has not yet appeared in print. It was told me by Mr. Henry Wells, R.A., 
who, as an eye-witness, can vouch for the truth of the story. Many years ago—in the 
old days before Ardverikie Lodge was burnt down, and with it so many things of interest— 
Mr. Wells and Sir Edwin were guests in the house during the stalking season. On wet 
days, when out-door enjoyment was impossible, the latter commonly amused himself by 
making charcoal drawings on the walls—drawings that were the admiration of all future 
visitors, and particularly interesting as showing the great artist’s first conceptions of pictures, 
such as “ The Stag at Bay,” “ The Challenge,” and “ The Sanctuary,” which have since 
become so famous. 1 One of these days, however, Sir Edwin devoted to the completion of 
1 By a piece of good fortune a photographer from Grantown visited Ardverikie shortly before its destruction by lire in 
1871, and took copies of the principal drawings on the walls. These plates were some time ago purchased by Sir George 
Macpherson Grant, and to his kindness I am indebted for being allowed to reproduce them here. 
