6 \ British Deer and their Horns 
surprise, each of the big stags being held at bay by a gallant hound. A couple of shots then 
settled the business ; and so ended what was then considered a grand day s sport. No doubt 
it was most exciting to see the struggle of bone and sinew between two such noble 
quadrupeds, but it was not rifle-shooting. To-day the gallant but disturbing deerhound 
has given place to the cunning and obedient collie, and the success of the stalker depends 
for the most part on the accuracy of his rifle, and his skill in using it. 
It is pleasant to note that, whatever may happen in other sports, there is no such thing 
as favouritism in deer-stalking. It does not matter in the least whether you are Mr. Smith 
WAIT A BIT, THE BEST IS GENERALLY LAST 
or the Duke of Bayswater ; in a properly-conducted forest you will be treated in exactly the 
same way by Donald, for in his view you are simply “ the man with the rifle,” and in 
estimating your worth he will look only to your achievements as a sportsman. One bad 
miss on the part of a Duke will lower him at once in the eyes of his critic, while one good 
shot by Mr. Smith will elevate him over the head of his unlucky companion, no matter 
how many stars and garters he may be entitled to wear. Witness the following instance. 
A certain great personage whose name is a household word had a day’s stalking in a 
Perthshire forest. The head stalker, a particularly grim but zealous follower of his craft, 
had given his <c man ” two easy chances, and the bullets had flown wide. A third chance 
even easier than the others, at a big stag whose presence in the larder was eagerly desired, 
