70 STUDIES OF NATURE 



need not rest with a commonplace hero like 

 Bruce. They may go further back, for here is a 

 cairn where Columba rested when pursuing his 

 mission to the heathen inhabitants of Arran; 

 and, further still, for here too is the Cave of 

 Fingal, and the grave of Fingal's daughter. 



We get our worst tossing when we come to 

 round the southern end of the island. We keep 

 well away from the shore, and are glad when we 

 have passed the Pladda Lighthouse ; for after 

 that comes smoother water. They sing a rude 

 song in the island, part of which I remember, 

 about the lighthouses in the estuary of the 

 Clyde, taking them in order, as you go south- 

 ward, and making the storm culminate appro- 

 priately at the Pladda : 



As we cam by the Toward Light 



It blew an unca blast ; 

 Says Donald Gray to Duncan More, 



She'll blow away her mast. 



As we cam by the Cumbrae Light 



It blew an unca gale ; 

 Says Donald Gray to Duncan More, 



We'd best turn round her tail. 



