GROUSE AND PARTRIDGE 213 



the lazier man will have the heavier game-bag, 

 to say nothing of his competitor's disadvantage 

 from having fruitlessly wasted his own strength, 

 and that of his dogs, when many of the packs 

 would not allow him to come within reach." 



As he passed through the fir-wood, his attention 

 was attracted by a large bird sitting on a branch. 

 This was the first intimation that the capercaillie 

 had spread his length. His gratification, at this 

 addition to his game resources, was not altogether 

 unmixed. It might lessen the number of black- 

 cock ; and, from a commercial point of view, the 

 new-comer was not fit to eat in anything but 

 soup. 



His foot was once more on his native heath ; and 

 the spell of the hills, and the freshness of the day, 

 and the glow of purple, together with the mystery 

 of hidden life about to be revealed, were upon 

 him. 



He shot after dogs, and was followed by a 

 ghillie ; probably, an old retainer of the family, 

 born in some cunning cup of the hills, of a race of 

 gamekeepers, conservative of all ancient practices, 

 and duly indignant at modern innovations. The 

 little company of men and dogs, blended with, 

 and were lost against the gigantic slope ; the puff 



