LINN OF CAMPSIE 165 



went with the swiftness of a steam-engine. Rocks 

 and woods opened to our view in an instant, and 

 in an instant vanished behind us. Thus we were 

 driven along with great fury till we came within 

 the sound of the great falls of the Linn of Campsie : 

 soon we descried before us the awful barrier of rocks 

 which rose up right athwart the stream, extending 

 from bank to bank. 



The waters had worn their way in some places 

 through this barrier, and tumbled madly through 

 the rocky gorges ; down they went, thundering 

 with stunning sound into the enormous cauldron 

 below. Then arose the strife the dashing of the 

 spray the buffeting against the banks the swirling 

 of the eddies, crested with large masses of foam all 

 was in hideous commotion. 



This state of things threatened to put an end to 

 our projected voyage. To go right onwards through 

 the centre gorge was to pass to certain destruction : 

 as well might one hope to shoot in safety down the 

 falls of Schaffhausen. 



I was prepared for all this, and was quite aware 

 of the impediment before I began my voyage ; so 

 I did as I had made up my mind to do before I 

 started. I pulled towards some alder trees which 

 grew on the bank above the fall, and held my boat 

 fast by the branches ; I then told Charlie to secure 

 his boat also with a rope, and to land and recon- 

 noitre. We were enabled to do these things without 

 much difficulty, as the water was in some measure 

 arrested in its course above the fall, being slightly 

 bayed back by the barrier of rocks. Being on terra 



