DEEK-DKIVING IN MULL. 61 



to guard. My son having chosen the low pass, 

 where the last hind fell, I had simply to face 

 about, and walk a few forward paces to command 

 the high runs. A view of the distant sea, flanked 

 by its noble range of mountains, with the silvery 

 Loch Baa at my feet, had pretty well lulled my 

 vigilance, when a single shot from below roused 

 me from my reverie. The three dogs soon after 

 swept through the low pass full cry, and, skirting 

 the shores of the loch, seemed making for the 

 rough cover of Garrochree. Although nearly a 

 mile above, I saw a small object take the water 

 and strike out for the opposite side. Fixing the 

 telescope, I felt satisfied that the noise had scared 

 a sheep (no unfrequent result) from the low banks 

 into Loch Baa for safety. It had nearly gained 

 niid-loch when I heard the rapid stroke of oars, 

 and presently the fishing-coble, pulled by the 

 shepherds at their utmost stretch, headed back the 

 swimmer in the direction from which it had 

 started. I now distinctly traced two animals in 

 the water, and their pursuer running to meet them 

 at the salmon-point, where they seemed bent on 

 landing. He fired, and missed the head of one, 



