rifle had warned our neighbours of our luck in getting a shot, the ball had struck a stone at least half a yard to the right of the roe, and they fled on unscathed into the cover at hand. This was our first and last chance at a roe that day; in other respects, we did a fair share of the duties of the morning, and certainly yielded to none in the enjoyment we experienced. At mid-day we halted, and assembled the party near a refreshing mountain rivulet; and, though we are by no means an advocate for these gastronomic interruptions to a day's sport, yet, we must own, a pleasant half-hour's rest, and a trifle of cold grouse, in such a scene, and on such occasions, with an afternoon's deer-shooting in prospect, is by no means the most disagreeable moment of one's life. Seated, therefore, on a heathered bank, with a merry group around-in fact, forming one of those pleasing pictures which Landseer or Taylor can far better paint than we can pen--as the smoke from various cigars and pipes curled in wreaths through the clear air, we contemplated the success of the morning. A beautiful roe, still graceful in death, which had fallen to the unerring aim of one of our companions, and which he beheld with much satisfaction-several mountain hares, blackcocks, and four brace of grouse, lay before us; and a very pleasing sight it was, and not bad sport late in the season. But fatigue is little thought of with game in view, and the whole party were soon prepared for another start.

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We will cross the river," said our leader, "and doubtless you will then have a shot at a red-deer: be calm, however--take time, and ere nightfall you may yet tell of something better than a roe."

We descended to the banks of the stream, in order to cross over by some rocks and large stones, so placed as to admit of a dry passage; when evident

signs and tracks of deer having also recently crossed, gave us renewed hopes. Oscar, one of the deer dogs, was nose to the ground and ears erect, pulling hard at the gillie, who with much difficulty prevented his breaking loose. Having reached the opposite shore, we came to a halt, in order to arrange our forces; and after a little discussion among keepers and foresters, our line of battle was formed, and we found ourselves in company with one of the Laird's sons, a most agreeable and amiable lad, now in India--to whom, should these pages ever meet his eye, we would recall with thanks his courtesy and kindness on that occasion—the shouts of laughter and humour which enlivened our walk home after this day's sport, when scarcely one of us could otherwise have walked a yard farther; indeed, as regards ourselves, to this hour we believe we have never recovered the fatigue and excitement, which caused us subsequently a sharp attack of fever and indisposition.

But to proceed. With our kind conductor, we skirted a great portion of the thick wood or covert, our companions also being appointed to favourable localities for the passing of the deer; and at length we found ourselves fairly ensconced in a thicket, from which we commanded the crossing of two long rides or paths, cut in the recesses of the forest; and a multitude of beaters being thrown in, Heaven knows where, we awaited the coming of the sovereign of the glen-barring Glenmoriston himself. What passed beyond, as thus we lay secluded in that retired spot, we cannot here recount, inasmuch as a monthly volume of the "Colonial Library" would not admit of it. But as long as the breath of life remains to us-and we would wish to speak our natural feelings, though many may say "stuff!"—

we shall never forget that day. Half an hour elapsed in pleasing dialogue, in a sort of demi-tone. A joke was passed-a smothered laugh--the proposal to light a cigar. The deer will smell the smoke their scent is very acute. Nevertheless, we both wished it. How dreadfully cold! Never mind, a shot will warm you. We sink knee-deep in wet ! Ah, that's nothing, when you're used to it! be patient. Well we might! an hour elapsed, and not a sound. Can we be well placed? Decidedly so-none better. We are frozen! Never mind.

Hark! a shout! Bang! The sound died away. We started up--held the rifle firmly. Look out! A blackcock passed us. "D--n those blackcocks!" at any other time how welcome! Another shout-another bang! Half an hour more elapsed-we could scarcely brave it longer. Frozen-half drowned -the first hour's merriment began to flag. Had we

only been allowed a cigar! but then red-deer are not fond of the smell of baccy. We coughed.-You must not cough! We sneezed.-No sneezing! We danced. You must not dance. This is forest deershooting, is it? A jungle, for all we cared. Alas! how long we had desired such luck! but then, like the child who cries for a toy, having obtained it, we could have flung the treasure away. But as yet we had not obtained it. Two hours had we remained in this damp and cold seclusion, when, lo! a louder report saluted our anxious ears; close at hand the echo came, and all our miseries were about to cease. "Be patient--for Heaven's sake, be calm!" said our young companion, or you will miss him." We have heard the whistling ball, which tells of danger past, fly harmless o'er our head in scenes of bloodshed and danger-we have heard the shriek of agony occasioned by its paralyzing stroke-we have

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