U'lLD SWAN SHOOTING. 29 



clear and bugle-like note of the swans. As the light increases we 

 ever and anon catch glimpses of the fowl circling in clouds above 

 the sea, and when we reach the cottage there is about as much 

 light as we are likely to have so long as the dull and leaden clouds, 

 which look full of snow, remain. 



Much to her satisfaction, Jenny is made comfortable in the 

 little stable, the gun? are carefully seen to, and the creature 

 comforts removed from the dog-cart, and, with pipes in our 

 mouths, Bob and I start on our tramp across the moors and 

 swamps. Even with our local knowledge of the country, great 

 care has to be exercised, some of those bog holes being very deep, 

 and as they have a thin layer of ice over them, the snow lies 

 unmelted there as on the more solid ground. Not long ago one 

 of the shepherds got in, and would most certainly have perished, 

 had it not been for his dog, who, seeing its master's danger, 

 started off for the cottage, where, fortunately, we happened to be 

 spending a few days. The dog's manner told us there was 

 something wrong, and when we showed signs of following it 

 exhibited unmistakable delight. When we reached the spot 

 there was nothing to be seen of the unhappy man but his head 

 and neck : the bog had very nearly secured a victim ; even 

 his arms, which he had very wisely stretched out when he first 

 went in, were invisible, and certainly in another ten minutes all 

 would have been over. As it was, we managed to rescue him in 

 a greatly exhausted condition, and with no small difficulty, from 

 his perilous position, and the collie's delight .when at last we 

 dragged his master on to firm ground was a sight to see. 



We ascend a certain low sandy hillock, which commands a fair 

 view of the Black Lochs, and, with the glasses, proceed to inspect 



