WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS 



appearing, from the noise they made, to be dislodging and 

 driving before them large quantities of debris; others seem- 

 ed to bound in long leaps down the precipices, till we lost 

 the sound far below us in the depths of the corries. Not 

 knowing our way in the least, we agreed to come to a halt 

 for a short time, in hopes of some alteration in the weather. 

 Presently a change came over the appearance of the mist, 

 which settled in large fleecy masses below us, leaving us as 

 it were on an island in the midst of a snow-white sea, the 

 blue sky andbright sun above us without a cloud. As alight 

 air sprung up, the mist detached itself in loose masses, and 

 by degrees driftedoff the mountain side, affording us again 

 afull viewofall aroundus.The magnificence of the scenery, 

 looking down from some of these mountain heights into 

 the depths of the rugged and steep ravines below, is often 

 more splendid and awfully beautiful than pen or pencil can 

 describe; and the effect is often greatly increased by the 

 contrast between some peaceful and sparkling stream and 

 green valley seen afar off, and the rugged and barren fore- 

 ground of rock and ravine, where no living thing can find 

 a resting-place save the eagle or raven. 



I remember a particular incident of that day's ptarmig- 

 an-shooting; which, though it stopped our sport for some 

 hours, I would not on any account have missed seeing. 

 Most of the mist had cleared away, excepting a few cloud- 

 like drifts, which were passing along the steep sides of the 

 mountain. These, as one by one they gradually came into 

 the influence of the currents of air, were whirled and tossed 

 about, and then disappeared; lost to sight in the clear 

 noonday atmosphere, as if evaporated by wind and sun. 



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