THE PARTY ASSEMBLED. 229 



Percy's bay.* How he makes the valley ring ! I should 

 know his deep tongue from a thousand. He must be just 

 above the marble quarry. Hark ! that is his death-shot, 

 and from the Duke ; for no one else would fire at a deer 

 at bay whilst his Grace was in the glen. We shall soon 

 know this, for a few minutes will bring us within sight." 



And now, as they bounded down the brae, the whole 

 line of carriages, gillies, and sportsmen, broke full upon 

 their view. That glen, heretofore so still and silent, 

 awoke at once into life and animation. A large party 

 had collected round Marble Lodge, and made a most 

 picturesque appearance. Here a successful sportsman 

 came, triumphantly galloping upon a mountain pony ; and, 

 far in his rear, riding at a dejected pace, loitered some 

 unhappy wight, whose balls had been somewhat too busy 

 with the heather. The wild gillies, soiled and heated 

 with toil, were running to and fro in their blue bonnets 

 and plaided kilts, some leading the good deer-hounds in 

 the leash, with panting sides and flagging sterns ; others, 

 with fresh dogs, trotting lightly along, and looking up the 

 mountain to the right and left with keen gaze and half 

 elevated ears. Nobles and kerns were mixed, and talking 

 together with that good fellowship and equality, which a 

 common interest in an animated pursuit so generally and 

 so happily occasions. Or, if there was any ascendency 

 (always setting aside the Lord of the Forest), it was vested 

 in John Crerar ; so true it is, that " it is place that lessens 

 and sets off." He was the Belarius, to whom the younger 

 sportsmen looked up with deference and respect. 



* Percy and Douglas are at present in the possession of the Marquis 

 of Breadallmne. 



Q 3. 



