DEEK-DKIVING IN MULL. 47 



suggested to one's fancy an Indian prairie or 

 African desert rather than one of our own 

 Hebrides covered with its brown heath and 

 shaggy wood. 



When the grieve thought my mettle was up for 

 a shot, he slyly observed that a fowling-piece 

 loaded with buck-shot might hit them even in so 

 dark a night, and felt confident that he could 

 grope his way to the gap in the wall where the 

 deer entered to " spoil I the neeps," and by which 

 they also retreated when satisfied. To prevent 

 them getting our wind, we had to make a. con- 

 siderable circuit through rough hill ground, to 

 clamber over a high fence, and, worst of all, to 

 cross Scalastal brook. Had I not been confident 

 the man could find his way blindfold, I should 

 certainly have declined the whole thing. No 

 sooner had we quitted the outer door into the 

 black still darkness, than I felt powerless as a 

 child. The overseer, however, was alert enough. 

 First tracing a sheep-path to guide him to the 

 fence, which he followed down until he discovered 

 the rude steps he sought, then listening for the 

 brook/ he rather anxiously whispered, "If we 



