ASCENT OF THE MOUNTAIN. 291 



eggs, &c. As Donald seemed not to like the expedition, I 

 left him at the hut, with strict injunctions to procure enough 

 black game or grouse to form our supper and next day's 

 breakfast. The shepherd took down a single-barrel gun, of 

 prodigious length and calibre, tied together here and there 

 with pieces of string; and having twisted his plaid round 

 him, and lit his pipe, was ready to accompany me. So, having 

 put up some luncheon in case we were out late, we started. 



The sun was not up as we crossed the river on the step- 

 ping-stones which the shepherd had placed for that purpose, 

 but very soon the mountain-tops were gilded by its rays, and 

 before long it was shining brightly on our backs as we 

 toiled up the steep hill-side. My companion, who knew 

 exactly which was the easiest line to take, led the way; 

 deeply covered with snow as the ground was, I should with- 

 out his guidance have found it impossible to make my way 

 up to the heights to which we were bound. " I'm no just 

 liking the look of the day either, sir," was his remark, " but 

 still I think it will hold up till near nicht ; we should be in 

 a bonny pass if it came on to drift while we were up yonder." 

 " A bonny pass, indeed ! " was my inward ejaculation. How- 

 ever, depending on his skill in the weather, and not expect- 

 ing myself that any change would take place till nightfall, 

 although an ominous-looking cloud concealed the upper part 

 of the mountain, I went on with all confidence. 



Our object was to reach a certain shoulder of the hill, not 

 far from the summit, from which the snow had drifted when 

 it first fell, leaving a tolerably-sized tract of bare stones, 

 where we expected to find the ptarmigan basking in the 

 bright winter sun. It was certainly hard work, and we felt 

 little of the cold, as we laboured up the steep hill. Persever- 

 ance meets with its reward ; and we did at last reach the 

 desired spot, and almost immediately found a considerable 

 pack of ptarmigan, of which we managed to kill four brace 

 before they finally took their flight round a distant shoulder 

 of the hill where it was impossible to follow them. An 

 eagle dashed down at the flock of birds as they were just 

 going out of our sight, but, as we saw him rise upwards 1 - 

 again empty handed,' he must have missed his aim. 



By this time it was near mid-day, and the clouds were 

 gathering on the mountain-top, and gradually approaching 

 us. We had taken little note of the weather during our pur- 

 suit of the birds, but it was now forced on our attention by a 



