176 EEMINISCENCES OF THE LEWS. 



" And, oh ! if there are cocks in this world to be found, 

 It is there, it is there ! 



If only you can get leave to shoot — wMcli, of 

 course you cannot (and very properly), unless 

 known to tlie proprietors. What happy, 

 cheerful hours have I passed in that beautiful 

 country, and among the hills and glens stretch- 

 ing away down to Carra loch and woods, when 

 it was fine, which it was not often. 



Now many, I believe most men, like driving 

 coverts and glens with beaters, and shooting 

 woodcocks a la battue — I confess I do not ; it 

 is, however, fair to say I would not give a 

 straw for any shooting without my friend, the 

 dog ; and therefore I prefer small returns 

 where I can use him, to large where I cannot. 

 But then you must have dogs that not only 

 will point a woodcock when they come on him, 

 but understand where and how to look for him. 

 Having such, I know now no pleasanter sport 

 than to start on a fine morning, towards the 

 middle or latter end of November, when the 

 birds are settled in their haunts (not before, 

 or you will drive them away), accompanied by 

 a brace of trusty tykes, such as old Tom and 

 his little son Jock ; your ground looking pro- 

 mising, the distant mountains and rippling 

 sea-lochs giving you something glorious to 



