BROAD AWAKE. 215 



a better mode than by the apparition in the manner which 

 was sworn to. 



" The most rational supposition seems to be, that the 

 crime had come to M'Pherson's (the ghost-seer) knowledge, 

 by ordinary means, of which there is some evidence ; but 

 desiring to have a reason for communicating it, which could 

 not be objected to by the people of the country, he had 

 invented this machinery of the ghost, whose commands, 

 according to Highland belief, were not to be disobeyed. If 

 such were his motives, his legend, though it seemed to set 

 his own tongue at liberty upon the. subject, yet impressed 

 on his evidence the fate of Cassandra's prophecies, that, 

 however true, it should not have the fortune to be 

 believed." * 



CHAPTER IX. 



Broad Awake. Arrangements for the Day. A Ticklish Point. Serpentine Movements. 

 Disappointment. White Kid Gloves Contest of Skill. Escape of the Deer. Good 

 Sport. Close Combat. A Ride on a Stag. Eemarkable Prowess. Contest with a 

 Phoca. The Drive Begins. Shots and Untoward Accident. Corrie's Sagacity and 

 Night- Watch. The Coup d'Essai. Past Deeds. Eagles Killed by a Boy. Driving 

 the Herd. Legend of Fraser's Cairn. The Lord of Lovat's Raid. Strong Taint of 

 Deer. Nervous Excitement. Ambuscade at the Wood. Noble Sport. The Old 

 Blair Pony. Return to the Castle. 



" What is a gentleman without his recreations?" 



Cornish Comedy. 



" JAMIESON desires me to tell you, sir, that there are three 

 fine harts feeding on the swell of Ben Derig, high above 

 the cottage, and he thinks you had better get up, for it is 

 five o'clock." 



" A goodly warning, John ; make ready our breakfast 

 immediately, and let the hill-men swallow theirs as quickly 

 -as possible. I will call Mr. Lightfoot myself," 



" What ho ! hillo, hillo, comrade ! Up, up, and be stir- 

 ring ! " 



* The trial of these men is curious and interesting, but too long for 

 insertion in these pages. I have, however, ventured to copy out the 

 evidence of the two ghost-seers, which contains the chief points in it, and 

 to insert them in an appendix. 



