we got to the Eagle Hill. On this were three stags and about twenty hinds, the property o f
a magnificent fellow carrying one o f the best heads I have seen on Black Mount. For some
time M 'Coll thought he was just a bit too good to shoot, for the very best in this forest are
generally left for stock purposes. Finding, however, that he was not Royal, my companion
agreed to a shot—^that is, i f we got within shooting distance, which was not too likely, the
Eagle Hill being one o f those queer places where back eddies are carried down from almost
any “ airt ” from which the wind is blowing; Luck is apparently entirely my way this
week, so far at any rate. The big stag was very “ kittle,” frequently roaring and keeping
his hinds moving before him along the hill-side in the direction o f another corrie running
at right angles, the entrance o f which, i f reached, would checkmate us. A quick, stiff climb
and a dashing piece o f stalking on the part o f M ‘Coll brought us in front o f the herd only
just in time, for I had hardly got into position when the first few hinds moved past ioo
yards below us. They were very uneasy and highly suspicious, but fortunately did not stop ;
and in another moment, to my joy, the big stag came slowly behind them and offered a
fair broadside in the very spot where I should have wished him to stand. The bullet took
him through the ribs, certainly a trifle too far back, but he gave in at once and rolled 1 50
yards down the hill, fortunately without hurting his horns. A really fine Highland stag in his
prime; weight 16 stone 2 lbs., with a good wild head o f 10 points, and good cups on the top.
Home at 3 o’clock, in good humour with myself and all the rest of the world.
Thursday, $th October.— -Shortly after leaving to-day we found an old stag with a lot
o f hinds on the east face o f Ben-an-luss, He was very savage, roaring continuously and
moving his hinds about, as another stag was answering him. M'Leish said he was
the oldest stag in that part o f the forest, and that he had known him by a certain peculiarity
for no less than thirteen years. He was also a most cunning animal, for he had been stalked
and shot at several times in past years. We watched him for about an hour, as his position
THE STALKERS, BLACK MOUNT
was unassailable, till at last, getting uneasy, he moved right over the top of Ben-an-luss,
Now was our chance, i f the mist would only hold up. Allowing a short time for the deer
to settle down, we negotiated the stiff climb, and M ‘Leish, leaving me behind a rock
on the summit, returned some distance to signal directions to the pony man. He came
back just as the stag returned roaring down the pass he had ascended, and as the mist was
blotting out the landscape, I feared he would come right on to us without being seen,
but as luck would have it, he stopped and recommenced bellowing within yp yards.
I never heard a stag make such a row, but nothing o f him could we see. It was most
exciting, lying flat on a slab o f rock, hoping devoutly that the mist would rise, i f only for a