46 OAT THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



down any that came within their reach. For nearly 

 three hours I continued the promenade. The result of 

 the drive was small, eight and a-half brace only being 

 brought down ; but then it must be remembered that 

 the grouse flew at a very great height and extreme 

 pace, and that only those accustomed to bringing down 

 rocketers had any chance at all. To me, save for the 

 purpose of swelling the total of the slain, the sport was 

 poor. I missed the treat of seeing the dogs work; 

 and they missed the sport also, for when we passed the 

 kennel and left them behind a continuous howl was 

 raised on their finding they were not to accompany us. 

 So clever are these well- trained dogs and so fond of 

 the work, that they immediately burst into a wild and 

 long-protracted chorus when they hear the jingling of 

 the bells on that fleet steed that draws their masters to 

 the keeper's lodge. The weather continued unsettled, 

 and the birds were very wild. Soon after luncheon a 

 Scotch mist enveloped the hill-tops, and a heavy rain 

 fell in the correi, drenching me to the skin in a few 

 minutes. One of the perils of the moors is this dense 

 mist which suddenly spreads over them, and in which 

 the sportsman may readily lose himself, and have to 

 pass the night on the hills or in the correis, should he 

 not be clever at finding his way. The only safe course 

 in such mishap is to find, if you can, a rippling burn, 

 and then to follow its downward course. But this is 

 not an easy or pleasant way of spending even a portion 

 of the night. 



One day we shoot on another favourite ground, to 

 arrive at which it is necessary to climb for an ex- 

 ceedingly long time. The entire morning's shooting 

 has to 136 performed on rising ground. A wide 



