CHAPTER XXII THE FINDHORN 



light of a brilliant northern moon (every cloud having long 

 disappeared), we found that the water had already begun 

 to subside, though it still roared on with great fury. On the 

 opposite rocks we could see many a mountain burn as they 

 glanced in the moonlight. Every bird and animal was at 

 rest, excepting a couple of owls answering each other with 

 loud hootings, which were plainly heard above the noise 

 of the waters. 



The friend I was with being obliged to go home the next 

 day, I determined also to wend my way to the low country, 

 and to follow the river till I reached my own house. 



We started on horseback very early. Nothing could ex- 

 ceed the beauty of the morning, and everything, animate 

 and inanimate, seemed to smile rejoicingly. The Findhorn 

 had returned to its usual size, and danced merrily in the 

 sunshine. The streams on the opposite cliffs were again 

 like silver threads, and the sheep were winding along the 

 narrow paths on the face of the rocks, the animals looking 

 to us as if they were walking, like flies, on the very face of 

 the perpendicular cliffs. We saw a flock of some thirty or 

 so making their way in single file along these paths: while 

 we watched them they came to a place where their road 

 was broken up by yesterday's torrents. We could not un- 

 derstand what they would do. The path was evidently too 

 narrow to turn;and, as well as we could see with our o-lasses, 

 to proceed was impossible. However, after a short halt the 

 leader sprang over the obstacle, whatever it was, and a- 

 lighted safely on the opposite side. The least false step 

 would have sent him down many hundred feet. However, 

 they all got over in safety, and having filed away for some 

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