CHAPTER XXVI THE MUCKLE HART 



of day. It was still scarcely grey dawn when a bird, with 

 a slow, flapping flight, passed the opening of my hut, and 

 lighted out of sight, but near, for I heard him strike the 

 ground ; and my heart beat faster. What was my disap- 

 pointment when his low crowing croak announced the 

 raven! and presently he came in sight, hopping and walk- 

 ing suspiciously round the sheep; till, supposing the coast 

 clear, and little wotting of the double- barrel, he hopped 

 upon the carcass, and began with his square cut-and-thrust 

 beak to dig at the meat. Another raven soon joined him, 

 and then two more; who, after a kind of parley, quite in- 

 telligible, though in an unknown tongue, were admitted 

 to their share of the banquet. I was watching their voraci- 

 ous meal with some interest, when suddenly they set up a 

 croak of alarm, stopped feeding, and all turned their know- 

 ing-looking eyes in one direction. At that moment 1 heard 

 a sharp scream, but very distant. The black party heard 

 it too; and instantly darted off, alighting again at a little 

 distance. Next moment a rushing noise, and a large body 

 passed close to me; and the monarch of the clouds lighted 

 at once on the sheep, with his broad breast not fifteen 

 yards from me. He quietly folded up his wings; and, throw- 

 ing back his magnificent head, looked round at the ravens, 

 as if wondering at their impudence in approaching his 

 breakfast-table. They kept a respectful silence, and hopped 

 a little farther off. The royal bird then turned his head in 

 my direction, attracted by the alteration in the appearance 

 of the ground which he had just noticed in the dim morn- 

 ing light. His bright eye that instant caught mine as it 

 glanced along the barrel. He rose ; as he did so I drew the 

 337 V 



