242 DAYS OF DEER-STALKING. 



belonging to the late Mr. Gordon of Achness. He was 

 killed by a stag about forty years ago, who transfixed him 

 with his antlers against a rock, leaving three deadly wounds 

 on his body. 



The traditions of that country have handed down stories 

 to us that prove the great estimation which dogs were held 

 in at very remote periods. One of these traditions, which 

 was current ages before Macpherson's publication, runs as 

 follows : 



Fingal agreed to hunt in the forest of Sledale. in company 

 with the Sutherland chief, his contemporary, for the purpose 

 of trying the comparative merits of their dogs. Fingal 

 brought his celebrated dog Bran to Sutherland, in order to 

 compete with an equally famous dog belonging to the 

 Sutherland chief, and the only one in the country supposed 

 to be any match for him. The approaching contest between 

 these fine animals created great interest. White-breasted 

 Bran was superior to the whole of Fingal's other dogs, even 

 to the " surly strength of Luah." But the Sutherland dog, 

 known by the full sounding name of Phorp, was incom- 

 parably the best and the most powerful dog that ever eyed 

 a deer in his master's forests. 



When Fingal arrived in the forest with his retinue and 

 dogs, he was saluted with a welcome that may be translated 

 thus : 



" With your nine great dogs, 

 With your nine smaller, game-starting dogs, 

 With your nine spears 

 Unwieldy weapons ! 



And with your nine grey sharp-edged swords, 

 Famous were you in the foremost fight." 



The Sutherland chief also made a conspicuous figure 

 with his followers, and his dogs and weapons for the chase, 

 Of the two rival dogs, Bran and Phorp, the following 

 descriptions have still survived amongst some of the oldest 

 people in Sutherland. Bran is thus represented : 



The hind leg like a hook or bent bow, 

 The breast like that of a garron,* 

 The ear like a leaf. 



* A stout gelding. 



