188 THE MOOES AND THE MOUNTAINS. 



winter, when the wind is howling among the wild rocks, 

 and the snow is drifting abont and covering over every- 

 thing with which they are acquainted, or might be able to 

 mark their way home, thev are obliged to go out and look 

 after their flocks, and see that they have not tumbled into 

 the deep holes which are so common among limestone 

 rocks. But they thought it unkind to be asked to leave 

 their ancient homes by these they had often served and 

 defended ; for during the war with the French, hundreds 

 of all the strongest men sometimes joined together under 

 the command of some chieftain whom they loved, and 

 went abroad and fought, ' and spilt their blood like 

 water;' but never thought that, after being worn out 

 with their wounds, and coming home to end their days 

 in peace, they would all be sent away to catch cod and 

 haddocks. So, you see, instead of fishing by the sea- shore, 

 almost the whole of them went away to America, where 

 many of them, with their sons and daughters, are living 

 to this day. It is very true that those to whom the land 

 belongs now get more money from the new comers ; but if 

 God saw fit to allow another Bonaparte to rise up among 

 the French, who was determined to conquer all other coun- 

 tries, then it would be very difficult to get such brave men 

 as once dwelt in Sutherland, but are now dwelling by the 

 banks of the great rivers of America. I think, if I had 

 thousands of people under me, I would rather try to make 



