Tllli BIRDS OF STRATHBEG. - 2G7 



not wishing to disturb my friends there at that unseasonable hour, I at once 

 betook myself to the links, that I might be the readier and the nearer the 

 field of operations in the morning, my time being so limited. Crossed the 

 'cut,' or canal, which runs from the I^och, and having reached the sand 

 hillocks, Nature's couch became my bed, my gun my pillow, and the bare 

 canopy of heaven my covering. The wind, which on my leaving blew pretty 

 strongly, had now increased into a perfect hurricane; but despite the roaring 

 of the storm, and the pelting of the rain, which fell in copious showers, 

 exhausted nature giving way, I closed my eyes in sleep. A little more than 

 an hour, however, had only elapsed, when I was again awoke by the mournful 

 screaming as of some one in distress. Starting like one awaking from some 

 terrible dream, I sprung at once to my feet, but though I strained every 

 eye, could not discover the cause of alarm, or from whence it came. Was 

 it the echo of some shipwrecked or hapless wretch, or cast-away mariner, 

 calling to the lonely shore and the tempestuous and unfeeling billows for 

 succour and for aid? I looked towards the foaming waters, fearing the worst, 

 for it was truly an awful night at sea, and sure enough a stranded vessel 

 lay in sight. I flew in haste to render any little assistance which might be 

 in my power to give. On reaching the wreck, however, I found I had been 

 deceived by the gloom, for instead of a ship, as I thought, it only proved 

 to be a boat, newly, or, but recently cast on shore. Finding it empty, I now 

 turned my attention towai-ds the surge, but could discover no human form, 

 dead or dying. The sound by this time had ceased; I listened in the hope 

 of again hearing it repeated, but, save the hollowing of the northern blast, 

 and the loud moaning of the angry waves, as they lashed and spent their 

 fury on the unoifending shore, all was still; as nothing yet appeared to require 

 my aid, I again sought my lowly couch, where, in my haste, I had left my 

 gun. Proceeding hither, the wail of woe again burst on my ear in spite of 

 the midnight din of the warring elements, and louder than before. I listened 

 again, eager to catch the direction, that I might know where it was. Again 

 it died away. A few paces farther on, and again came the mournful cry, 

 and now 1 thought I could discern in it the piteous voice of some little infant 

 in agony, and proceeding, not from the beach, but from amongst the bents. 

 Yet a young child out on such a night, in such a place, and tortured by 

 some cold-blooded wretch, perhaps, of a mother. My heart almost died within 

 me, between hope and fear, as I now bent my steps in search of the innocent 

 little sufferer. Wending my way cautiously amongst the benty hillocks, I at 

 last came upon the unfortunate object of my solicitude, being guided to the 

 spot by its agonizing screams; but which, and most happily, I found not to 

 be a child, but a large Hare, securely bound posteriorly by a piece of cord 

 and brass wire, fastened to a stake in the ground. I involuntarily cursed 

 the cruel and heartless wretch whose hand had set the snare, as I cut the 

 poor animal free. 



The first gray streak of morn having by this time tinged the eastern horizon, 



