Scotland/Scots > Black's picturesque tourist of Scotland

344
EXCURSIONS PROM CASTLETON OF BRAEMAR.
until a wounded animal is detached from the herd, should, so
far as practicable, combine the nose of the blood-hound with
the speed of the grey-hound, and run mute.
The deer-stalker has recourse to a thousand manceuvres to
approach a herd or solitary stag. The animals are usually
descried at a long distance, either by the naked eye, or by the
aid of an achromatic telescope, and the mode of approaching
them entirely depends upon the situation in which they are
discovered. Should it seem impracticable to steal upon them
while at rest, the stalkers, armed with rifles, wait in the defiles
through which the deer are expected to pass, whilst the atten¬
dants make a circuitous movement to get beyond the deer and
drive them in the direction required. The deer-stalker, besides
being an excellent shot, should have good judgment of ground
and a hardy frame, combined with the patience and power to
undergo extreme fatigue and privation.
Although the red-deer has not
“The dreadful plunge of the concealed tiger,”
nor charges he like the maimed lion, or elephant, or buffalo at
bay, he possesses qualities which render his death as difficult
to achieve as that of any of the foregoing quadrupeds ; since
to the gracefulness of an antelope, he unites the agility of a
chamois—the eye of a lynx—the nose of a vulture—the ear of
a hare—the vigilance of a bustard—and the cunning of a fox—
he can swim like a sea fowl—in speed he will outstrip the race¬
horse—and in the height and length of his leap none but him¬
self can be his parallel! The anxiety attending this sport must
be as intense as the pursuit is laborious. After climbing for
hours the mountain-side, with the torrent thundering down the
granite crags above him, and fearful chasms yawning beneath
him, the stalker, with his glass, at length descries in some remote
valley, a herd too distant for the naked eye. He now descends
into the tremendous glen beneath, fords the stream, wades the
morass, and by a circuitous route threads the most intricate
ravines, to avoid giving the deer the wind. Having arrived
near the brow of the hill, on the other side of which he believes
them to be, he approaches on hands and knees, or rather
vermicularly, and his attendant, with a spare rifle, does the
same. A moment of painful suspense ensues. He may be
within shot of the herd, or they may be many miles distant,