142 NATURAL HISTORY AND 



homeward the gillie and his dogs. He joyously 

 faced about again, assuring us he would be at the 

 farmhouse where we meant to put up our car 

 almost as soon as we should. It was now about 

 nine, and the lad's directions were to meet us on 

 the hill with the provision-basket and fresh dogs 

 at two o'clock. 



At a quarter to ten I uncoupled on the crest of 

 Clochnabae. The heather was at first so wet as 

 to preclude immediate hope of close shots; but 

 the sun was blinking out, and would soon make it 

 dry enough. On circling round the hill, first one 

 good pack, then another, each led by the jeering 

 crow of the old cock, rose merrily in the very line 

 of our range. At this moment a large red hare 

 sprang at my feet; and although unwilling to 

 encumber my game-carrier with such lumber, I 

 rolled her over in very spite. First blood of 

 season 1865; but then it was only footed, not 

 winged gore. Sun out now, and heath drying 

 fast. Still another pack rose wild, and dogs be- 

 ginning to look unhappy. Turned into the sunny 

 side of the hill, where the raised packs had pre- 

 ceded me. Dogs ranging, free and true, but my 



