The Homing Instinct 181 



excitement. Rooks also seem to hear or feel climatic 

 disturbances from afar, and there is little doubt, that 

 animals, as a whole, are sensitive to vibrations in the 

 atmosphere to a very remarkable degree. There are 

 instances of this sensitiveness, as we all know, amongst 

 human beings, and generally it would be observed when 

 they are in a state of high mental excitement and desire. 

 Thus we can recall the well-known story of Jessie of Luck- 

 now, who heard the pipes of General Havelock's relieving 

 force, many hours before anyone in the besieged Residency 

 could do so. She steadfastly asserted she heard the pipes 

 approaching, when those around her deemed her demented, 

 as they were quite unable to detect any such sound. I 

 quote two verses of a poem by Grace Campbell, which 

 commemorates this incident of the Mutiny : 



" Hark, surely I'm no' wildly dreamin'. 

 For I hear it plainly now. . . . 

 Ye cannot, ye never heard it 

 On the far-off mountain brow ; 



For in your southern childhood, ye were nourished saft and warm, 

 Nor watched upon the cauld hillside, 

 The rising of the storm. 



Aye ! Now the soldiers hear it, and answer with a cheer, 

 As, ' The Campbells are a-comin' ' falls on each anxious ear. 

 The cannons roar their thunder, an' the sappers work in vain, 

 For high aboon the din o' war, 

 Resounds the welcome strain. 



" An' nearer still, an' nearer still, 

 An' now again 'tis ' Auld Lang Syne,' 

 Its kindly notes like life bluid rin, 

 Rin through this puir sad heart o' mine ; 

 Oh, leddy, dinna swoon awa' ; look up, the evil's past, 

 They're comin' now to dee wi' us, or save us at the last. . . . 

 Then let us humbly, thankfully, down on our knees and pray, 

 For those who come thro' bluid and fire, to rescue us this day. 

 That He may o'er them spread His shield, 

 Stretch forth His arm and save 

 Bold Havelock an' his Highlanders, 

 The bravest o' the brave." 



