48 AUTUMNS IN ARGYLESHIEE 



" sweeties," or frankly demanding blackmail with- 

 out any offer of an equivalent ; others, with legiti- 

 mate curiosity, are inspecting the queer-looking 

 scratch lot that are straining at their couples on 

 the bridge. Well may they wonder what the 

 pack is intended to pursue, composed as it is 

 of four foxhounds, a draft from the York and 

 Ainstey, two light-coloured wire-haired terriers of 

 our own particular breed, a small Sussex spaniel, 

 and York, an ancient black retriever, stone deaf, 

 and grey about the muzzle, but good for a year or 

 two of work still. The party descend from the 

 " machine " and equip and arm themselves with 

 waterproofs, rifles, flasks, and lunch. Barnakil, 

 the wood we mean to hunt to-day, is one of those 

 old natural birch woods which are becoming 

 yearly rarer, in consequence of the ravages of the 

 sheep ; but which formerly clothed half the brae 

 faces in Argyleshire. The leader of the party 

 leaves us to take up a position where a small 

 hillock covered with old Scotch firs overlooks a 

 queer boggy flat surrounded by covert on all sides, 

 and intersected with open drains and burns ; and 

 as he takes his seat among a heap of boulders, I 

 can see how well his grey suit harmonises with its 

 surroundings. He measures nearly six feet and 

 a half in his stockings, but his by no means scant 

 proportions are almost invisible before I have got 

 very far from him. The next to leave me is one 

 who has watched for the roe on these hills long 



