HOME AGAIN. 221 



after half an hour's walking, and found Alister seated 

 before a large peat fire, and awaiting our arrival. He 

 had abandoned the chase as hopeless on the approach 

 of night, and made himself comfortable in some warm 

 and dry socks provided by the shepherd's " gudewife." 

 Having refreshed ourselves by half an hour's rest and 

 a cup of tea, of which the hospitable woman would 

 urge our acceptanco, we turned out, and an hour's 

 walking, not improved by the increasing gloom, brought 

 us to the spot where by previous appointment, the dog- 

 cart awaited us. And so we were speedily at home ; 

 and thus closed a day whose sport could rarely be sur- 

 passed for interest and enjoyment. 



