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SHOOTING THE HARE

pretty numerous, must be placed in position in a wide ring around the top of the mountain, or, at the least, along the upper part of one face thereof. A calm, clear day is therefore necessary, and settled weather is a sine quâ non, or else, just as the drive begins, some envious cloud may settle over the hill, and by its impenetrable mist destroy all chance of sport. The best period to choose is one when the wind has been blowing steadily from one quarter for some days. It will be found that all the hares have deserted the exposed sides of the hills, and are congregated on the leeward faces and in the more sheltered corries. The sportsmen can thus, without disturbing the ground, ascend the hill upon the windward side, and get quietly into their stations without moving the hares, that are mostly upon the opposite face of the hill, and, crossing the top or shoulders of the ground, can form a line covering the whole top of the hill from the leeward side.

A weary climb brings us at length to the summit, over which we have to pass in order to gain our station on the further side; but, however intent on sport we may be, we cannot but pause to take in the beauty of the scene that is spread out before us on a glorious morning in the latter part of October. Be the spot where it may, in the Highlands of Scotland