DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 173 



place tlie horses shied alarmingly. The only explana- 

 tion given to us for this sudden show of spirit was 

 the driver's remark, as he looked at the stone-dotted 

 hill-side : 'I wonder who has been rolling that one 

 down and turning it the wrong side up.' 



The road winds first this way and then that, in 

 a zigzag fashion, to graduate the great drop to 

 Loch Duich, which, with its mountainous surround- 

 ings, its fir plantations, and white houses dotted here 

 and there on its shores, makes quite an Alpine 

 picture. 



Tlie hostess of the Shiel Hotel, a sister of the host 

 of Glenelg, was expecting us, and after kindly welcome 

 hurried us in to dinner. 



The company assem.bled v/as composed of men 

 much yoimger than myself, who rose to shift their 

 places to make room for us, while he who occupied 

 the seat of honour, to my great surprise, came towards 

 me and held out his hand with, *I am glad to meet 

 you, Mr Geen; we would certainly have waited dinner 

 for you had Miss Mackintosh but known the time of 

 your arrival. Now, please, take my seat. I'll tell you 

 why and all about it presently.' 



Protestations were of no avail; I was almost pushed 

 into the vacant headship while being assured that 

 several of those sitting round the board would be 

 furthering their studies by doing a little carving. 

 'They are mickle fit for aught else.' The laughter 

 that followed this showed the speaker to be a privileged 

 person, but roars greeted the retort from somewhere 

 at the table-end, 'It's your way to Harley Street 

 you're carving, doctor, as a michty Helminthologist.' 



I found myself presiding over nine young Scots- 

 men, whose names and occupations I was to gather 

 from their spokesman, who, now seated on my right, 

 told me he was well acquainted with my friend Dr 

 Ferguson, of Richmond, and that possibly I might 

 have heard him speak of a Dr Rorie, of Cardenden. 



