354 WILD SCENERY IN JURA. 



At a little distance the sails were spread for the boatmen, 

 and further off, in a recess of the cave, the dogs were 

 fastened to a stone large enough to have secured even 

 those of Fingal, where a bed of dry ferns was laid for 

 them. 



The different picturesque groups, and the deep gloom of 

 the cavern, illuminated only by the fitful blaze of the wood 

 fire, presented a subject worthy the study of a Rembrandt, 

 while the sullen roar of the waves as they dashed against 

 the rocks below, and were re-echoed in the cave, gave a 

 wildness and grandeur to the scene, that was romantic and 

 impressive. 



Having betaken ourselves to our resting-place, sleep 

 gradually stole over the whole party, and it was only at 

 break of day that the lively air of " Hey Johnny Cope," 

 blown from the pipes of Duncan M'Carmick, aroused us 

 from our slumbers. 



In a moment each sprang from his couch of heather ; 

 and not forgetting to give instructions for the preparation 

 of breakfast (and in particular, that the a la blaze should 

 be again put in requisition), we descended to a stream, which 

 runs through the valley at the foot of the cave, to perform 

 our ablutions, and having refreshed ourselves with a dip in 

 the sea, returned to breakfast even at that early hour, 

 with no want of appetite. Our morning meal was soon 

 over; Buskar and Bran were got in readiness, and the 

 whole party issued forth full of expectation; indeed, so 

 eager were the dogs, that though they had not tasted food 

 from the forenoon of the previous day, they would not 

 look at the cake which was offered them, and Buskar, 

 when pressed, at length took the cake in his teeth, and 

 impatiently threw it from him. 



