‘What would I be planning?’ I cried. ‘Now, where’s Duncan’s game-bag—have you a bite of food I can take in my pocket in case I’m hindered? Are you angry, Terry? Won’t you say good hunting?’

‘No,’ she answered flatly. ‘Take care of yourself and come safe home,’ she whispered a moment afterwards. ‘Don’t let any harm come to you. I’ll be waiting for you.’

I went down into the gully and spied the country to the south, making a great show of looking for beasts for Terry’s benefit. When I had assured myself that there were no deer to be seen from where she stood beside the cave I walked up the defile towards Ardverikie Forest. As soon as I was out of sight of the cave I slackened my pace. Darkness was still some hours off, and the evening was too bright for my project. I settled myself behind a stone and smoked a precious pipeful of tobacco that I had gleaned from the corners of my jacket’s pockets, and while I waited for night I amused myself by taking imaginary snapshots at boulders. I had often used Duncan’s rifle in the old days when he took me with him to kill a hind. It came naturally to my hands now. It was far superior to my own .303, and I had brought down a beast at three hundred yards with it, more than once.

At length when it seemed dark enough to proceed I loaded the rifle carefully, filling the magazine with seven shells and leaving the breach empty. In this way I could carry it in perfect security with the safety catch off and yet load and be ready in a twinkling. I swung from my first course, bending more westernly towards the shining goal of Loch Laggan.