146 HIGHLAND SPORT 



other islands adjacent, was totally devoid of rock, and was but 

 some three hundred acres of sand-land, most of it standing but 

 a little above sea-level, while its whole surface was covered 

 with sweet, thick-growing grass, and hither in summer sheep 

 were brought by boats to graze. To the humble bunnie it was 

 little short of a paradise ; for there were no four-footed vermin 

 on the island, while the feeding was splendid, with the easiest 

 of burrowing, and what more could the mind of the most 

 epicurean rabbit wish for ? 



As soon as we had landed and made all secure, each of us, 

 accompanied by a man, went off in different directions, having 

 previously agreed to rendezvous at the boat for luncheon. 

 Sport was good and the firing rapid. The lion's share fell to 

 my lot, so thus, twenty minutes before lunch-time, my man had 

 more bunnies to carry than he could manage, and, unloading 

 my gun, I took part of the burden, as we made for the boat. 



On the way we fell in with the exciseman, who in reply to 

 our cry of, "Well! what sport?" answered, "Oh, very good 

 indeed, and well worth the ten-shilling gun-licence I took out 

 yesterday ! " I laughed at his business-like response, and told 

 him under what circumstances I already had taken out not only 

 a gun, but a game licence. 



A short half-hour was all Murdoch allowed us for refresh- 

 ment ; then we started shooting again, and when the sun began 

 to set we counted into the boat nearly three hundred bunnies, 

 and large as the total seemed, it was yet clear that it would 

 take other visits to effectually thin them down. 



Some few days after this trip we returned from a seal 

 hunt earlier than usual, having been driven off the sea by a 

 heavy storm. As we were both wet through, I made straight 

 for my bedroom, where I knew there would be a good fire with 

 a hot tub ; but Murdoch, with a Scotchman's contempt of a 

 wet jacket, and in spite of wise counsel from me, turned into 

 the dining-room to look at the contents of the post-bag. 



Just as I was undressed I heard the front door bell ring, 



