128 FORAYS AMONG SALMON AND DEER. 



sheltered cranny ; and the shades of evening had been 

 succeeded by the gloom of night, ere his homeward 

 route brought him by the foot of Ben Fionan. Passing 

 within a few yards of the King's Cave, he was sur- 

 prised on seeing rays of light issuing forth in a long 

 stream from the cheerful blaze of a fire within its 

 gloomy penetralia ; and on scrambling some little dis- 

 tance up the rugged path leading to the entrance, his 

 astonishmemt was increased by the scene which 

 revealed itself. In the centre of the cavern was a 

 huge fire, composed of the dry heather which had formed 

 the pallet of some former occupant; and around it were 

 seated some ten or twelve Highlanders. Seldom was 

 seen a group more worthy of the painter's brush, from 

 the glitter of the fire-arms and the picturesque attitudes 

 of the company; the effect of their stalwart limbs and 

 swarthy complexions being heightened by the deep 

 gloom in the background, while the fitful glare of the 

 fire gave an additional interest to their countenances, 

 already sufficiently animated from the effects of the 

 whisky, which was passing freely round. 



For some moments Donald looked on in astonish- 

 ment. The men were not unknown to him, and he had 

 little doubt as to the object of their visit to such a spot. 

 But while thus watching, he gathered from their 

 vehement gestures and loud tones, that a conversation 

 was going on in which all seemed more than usually 

 interested. Incited by curiosity, he silently drew 

 nearer, in order if possible, to overhear what was said ; 

 and now he stood within the entrance of the cave 

 itself, but hidden from its inmates in the gloom. At 

 this very moment, what was his amazement and alarm, 

 on hearing his own name mentioned. At first it 

 occurred to him that his presence was known, and he 

 was just about to take to flight, when, on second 



