CHAPTER XXII THE FINDHORN 



with even df rapid flight at no great height along the course 

 of the river, without taking the least notice of the heron. 

 Beautiful in its grand and wild solitude is the glen where 

 the Findhorn takes its rise; seldom does the foot of man 

 pass by it. It is too remote even for the sportsman; and the 

 grouse cockcrows in peace.and struts without fear of point- 

 er or gun,whenhe comes downfrom the hill-slopes at noon- 

 day to sip the clear waters of the springs that give birth to 

 this beautiful river. The red deer fearlessly quenches his 

 thirst in them, as he passes from the hills of Killen to the 

 pine-woods in Strathspey. Seldom is he annoyed by the 

 presence of mankind, unless a chance shepherd or poacher 

 from Badenoch happens to wander in that direction. Hav- 

 ing rested for a short time, and satisfied my curiosity re- 

 specting the source of the river, we struck off over some 

 very dreary slopes of high ground on the north-east, inter- 

 spersed with green stripes, through which small burns make 

 their way to swell the main stream of the river. Not a deer 

 did we see, but great quantities of grouse, who, when flush- 

 ed, flew to short distances, and alighting on some hillock, 

 crowed as it were in defiance. A cold chill that passed over 

 me made me turn and look down the course of the stream, 

 and the first thing that I saw was a dense shower or cloud 

 of rain working its way up the valley, and gradually spread- 

 ing over the face of the country, shutting out hill after hill 

 from our view as it crept towards us. In the other direction 

 all was blue and bright. "We must turn home, or we shall 

 never get across the streams and burns," was my ejacul- 

 ation to the shepherd. "'Deed.ay, Sir, "was his answer; and, 

 tightening our plaids, we turned our faces towards the east. 

 293 



