THE SALT LOCH. 155 



night had thrown her sable mantle over the moun- 

 tains, and we found travelling over the rugged ground 

 difficult, and the somewhat steep descent to the inn 

 attended even with some danger. Twice I narrowly- 

 escaped being precipitated down a fall of several feet, 

 and before we gained the * Argyle Arms,' had fathomed 

 the miry depths of more than one peat-bog. We 

 reached home however without further incident, having 

 had a very pleasant day, and though not sport of the 

 highest order, yet good as the season of the year could 

 warrant us in expecting. 



Of two expeditions in quest of sport among the roe- 

 deer, which came off shortly after the above, I shall 

 not pause to speak, as they were attended by no 

 success. 



The following is the description of an excursion to a 

 low-lying loch, into which the sea found its way at the 

 highest tides, thus making the water almost as salt as 

 that of the sea itself; and bringing a periodical im- 

 portation of sea-trout as well as herrings ; the former 

 of which sometimes afforded excellent sport, while the 

 latter served chiefly as food to the merganser, and 

 other varieties of waterfowl. 



Here, having no boat, we were forced to fish from 

 the shore, and the exuberant crop of weeds which ex- 

 tended round the loch proved a great hindrance to 

 sport. No sooner was a fish hooked, than, darting 

 down into the tangled forest below, he left the hook 

 clinging to some stubborn water-plant, from which it 

 was with difficulty extricated. Though therefore we 

 wandered round the shore, occasionally catching a 

 small fish, all the larger ones made their escape, 

 frequently causing the loss of the fly. And soon tiring 

 of such tame amusement, we put up our tackle and were 

 about to start for home, when Donald discovered, 



