WINDING THROUGH A BOG. 57 



his leg when the said fowler puts forth his corresponding 

 limb. Above all be as silent as the grave ; and when you 

 step upon stones, tread as lightly as a ghost. If your 

 back aches in supportably, you may lie down and die, that 

 is permitted; but do not raise yourself an inch to save 

 your life, precious as it is. I assure you I am in earnest 

 when I press all this on your attention, for it is absolutely 

 necessary. Now let us put our caps in our pockets. Bless 

 me ! do not raise up your hair with your fingers in that 

 manner. I assure you, my good fellow, that just at present 

 it would be much more becoming to be bald, or to wear 

 your hair like King Otho. 



" Maclaren, you will remain here, and watch the deer 

 when I have fired. Sandy, follow you at a proper distance 

 with the dogs ; and come you along with us, Peter, and 

 take the rifles. And now, my lads, be canny." 



The party then advanced, sometimes on their hands 

 and knees, through the deep seams of the bog, and again 

 right up the middle of the burn, winding their cautious 

 course according to the inequalities of the ground. Occa- 

 sionally the seams led in an adverse direction, and then 

 they were obliged to retrace their steps. This stealthy 

 progress continued some time, till at length they came to 

 some green sward, where the ground was not so favourable. 

 Here was a great difficulty : it, seemed barely possible to 

 pass this small piece of ground without discovery. Fraser, 

 aware of this, crept back and explored the bog in a parallel 

 direction, working his way like a mole, whilst the others 

 remained prostrate. Returning all wet and bemired, 

 his long serious face indicated a failure. This dangerous 

 passage then was to be attempted, since there was no 



