CHILL OCTOBER 213 



sound, as it meant a spate and the river in order 

 before long. 



A ring at the bell, and old Brodie's slow step 

 is heard approaching along the passage a slow 

 step now, for he is old and " gey stout ; " but in 

 his day there was not a better walker or a keener 

 hand. His time on the hill is over, and now 

 he reserves himself for a general superintend- 

 ence ; but what he especially loves is driving his 

 cart along the roads when we are hunting the 

 woods for fallow deer, " for fear they should 

 break oot." How often has the tootle of his 

 horn announced that the buck has evaded us, 

 in spite of the wheels of his chariot ! 



After a good deal of shouting for old Robert 

 is very hard of hearing, and, like many deaf per- 

 sons, thinks it necessary to raise his voice, as if 

 everybody shared his infirmity it is arranged 

 that Brock and I should try for a mixed bag 

 along the river, and finish up the day by wait- 

 ing under the bank of the burn in the evening 

 between the brae face of Achnashellach and the 

 field of oats near the river, which are not yet 

 carried, when we may hope to get some nice 

 rocketing shots at grouse and blackcock coming 

 in to feed. No need to go on wheels ; we can 

 start from opposite the kennels, and have the 

 dogcart to meet us at Bridge End in the even- 

 ing. And at half-past ten we duly rendezvous at 

 the gate by the Scoinish burn, where the keeper 



