AND ANGLING SONGS. 159 



also breed numerously in the swampy portions of it. Taken 

 altogether, this sheet of water presents a singular appearance, 

 which is heightened by a curious tradition as to its containing 

 the talisman, in the shape of a white stone resembling an im- 

 mense pearl, by means of which a Highland seer, Kenneth Oure 

 by name, gained insight into future events. Before his death it 

 was pitched by him into the lake, and a prediction uttered that 

 it would be discovered in the stomach of a pike many years 

 afterwards. As an amulet this stone was not without its preced- 

 ent. Every one has heard of the Lee Penny a small triangular 

 pebble belonging to the Lockharts of the Lee, in Lanarkshire, 

 which has the reputation of being able to effect most extraordi- 

 nary cures, and even arrest the progress of pestilence. It was 

 borrowed for that purpose during the last visitation of the plague 

 in England by the inhabitants of Newcastle, a large sum of 

 money having been deposited as security for its return ; and 

 such, it is said, was the confidence established in its efficacy, 

 that the borrowers, rather than part with it, expressed a willing- 

 ness to forfeit the full deposit. 



Of the charm-stone of Loch Ousie, I was plainly not destined, 

 in my only attempt on this tenement of the pike, to become the 

 fortunate possessor. Armed with gorge and spinning tackle, I 

 passed over to it one morning, under the grand expectation of 

 doing havoc among the grim guardians of the wondrous gem. 

 Embosomed in a wood, and occupying a circular basin between 

 the heights which divide Strathpeffer from the vale of the Conon, 

 the lake, at first view, quickened both my hopes and my foot- 

 steps. Like the stronghold it looked, gleaming in the distance, 

 of some ferocious old Gedd, the primus Indus Scotticus, girt 

 round with his crusty magnates, and holding council high on 

 affairs of watery empire and lucial aggression. How I hurried 

 on with beating heart, and with the legend, as told me, sounding 

 in my ears ; how, without slackening pace, I arranged rod and 



