4* ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



sheep-farmers, however, seem to be doing well. One- 

 holding an extensive run on Rhidorach has some six 

 or seven thousand, and large numbers are found 

 travelling to the different markets, blocking up the 

 narrow Highland by roads so as to render it occasionally 

 a work of time and patience to drive through the large 

 flocks that go bleating along. Then is the time to note 

 the marvellous sagacity of the shepherd's dog, and the- 

 skilful way in which he disperses the sheep and after- 

 wards collects them together when you have passed 

 through. Mais, revenons d nos moutons, or rather to 

 our particular cold mutton, which was the " diet " pro- 

 vided for the occasion : this was quickly disposed of. 

 I am now reminded of an anecdote I heard the other 

 day a propos of meals. A Scotch gentleman found 

 himself seated at dinner by the side of an extremely 

 voluble young lady, whose flow of chatter wearied him 

 so that he dryly remarked : " Hoot, lassie ; we're met 

 for meat and no for clavers." Well, I think that 

 gentleman was right ; there is a time for everything. 

 Having met with so little success with the ptarmigan, 

 by the advice of Ramsay, the keeper, I abandoned the 

 intention of having another climb in pursuit of this 

 very wild game, descending to a lower level and 

 witnessing the admirable behaviour of Lome, who 

 found and stood to the game with wonderful steadi- 

 ness. Soon my companion floored a brace; one, a 

 cunning old cock-bird, being merely winged, contrived 

 to find refuge in a deep hole, which caused Ramsay 

 much trouble before he drew him from his hiding- 

 place. Then Lome finds again. This time he stands 

 so steadily that we are certain birds are close to him ; 

 but I was not prepared to see one right under his nose- 



