Fox Hunting in Scotland 275 



ually lessens as you ascend to the clouds where the hleak winds 

 keep it shingled short. Long or short, its ])ur])lc blossoms lend 

 colour to its own dark brown shrubbery, so that this wonderful 

 carpet is seen in all the varying shades between brown and pur- 

 ple, depending on the light and shadows or the angle of the 

 hills and undulations as they meet the eye. Who can resist 

 falling in love with Bonnie Scotland! 



Of course we were wet to the skin and twenty-one miles 

 from home; but in all Scotland there were not two happier 

 men than rode the distance through repeated rain storms, los- 

 ing our way, but finally by climbing a sign post and striking 

 matches to illuminate the arms, we were put right. Reaching 

 the main road. King Arthur gave a neigh of delight, for he 

 knew where he was. ISIr. JSIcDougal mistaking the meaning, 

 remarked, "dinna ye be greeting (crying) laddie, yon are 

 the hghts o' Kilmarnock." 



We reached our destination quite fit for supper and the 

 rather long night cap which oVIadam had in pickle for us. This 

 we saw at a glance by the tea kettle simmering by the open 

 grate fire. "Is it to your liking?" intjuired the good housewife. 

 "Splendid," we replied, but JMcDougal in characteristic Scotch 

 replied, "It's na too bad, it's a wee mite sweet, perhaps, but 

 a'm thinking t'will do." Then looking slyly over the top of his 

 steaming glass he adds, "A dinna ken but a'm thinking it 

 might lia' been worse." 



We offered a toast to the health of all the McDougals — 

 may their shadows never grow less; to all the late comers at the 

 meet — may they never lose heart; to the foxes of the fells and 

 the moor — may they ever contiiuie to show hounds the way; 

 and tlie Kihnarnock hutit — may it always have sport; and last 

 to mention, but first in our hearts, Bonnie Scotland forever. 



