ERASER'S CAIRN. 115 



Highlander went firmly and safely through with his 

 burthen, the legs alone dangling in the water. This 

 portage was absolutely necessary, for our friend had the 

 disadvantage of London shoes, which are somewhat of the 

 neatest; and, as the captain of Bewcastle said to Wat 

 Tinlin, the heels risp*, and the seams rive.f 



They now came to firmer ground, and resolved, though it 

 was somewhat out of their way, to strike across to the firm 

 cart track. This was so overgrown with heather, that it 

 was not very distinguishable in daytime ; and they were 

 now only assured of their arrival at it by scraping with 

 their feet, and thus ascertaining that the ground was hard. 



"We are now at Fraser's cairn, and the Lord of 

 Lo vat's spirit may be abroad, calling for his horse. Arc 

 you not horribly afraid, Peter ? " 



" Houte-toute ! Clish-ma-clavers, I'm o'er auld farran 

 to be fleyed for bogles." 



" And now, Lightfoot, as our difficulties are fairly over, 

 and you have your attention at liberty, I will finish my 

 description of Badenoch, by giving you an account of its 

 celebrated forest of Gawick. Should you like to hear it ? " 



" Very much ; it will lighten our way ; provided you 

 will leave out every thing that relates to bogs, burns, 

 pits, and kelpies, ( an universe of death.' " 



"Well, then, I must tell you that there are many 

 very interesting circumstances connected with this forest ; 

 but, though it may be somewhat dull, I will give you a 

 description of its boundaries before I enter upon them. 



" Its bearing is in a south-west direction ; and it is 

 bounded on the south by the hills ' of the braes of Atholl,' 



* Creak. f Tear. 



I 2 



