20 THUNDER STORM. 



rent and shivered by the storm. The pelting of the 

 rain outside made us thankful that we were comfortably 

 sheltered within ; and when the storm gradually sub- 

 sided, and a sweeping wind succeeded, Donald was in 

 perfect raptures, for that wind, he said, would drive 

 the deer like sheep into some deep corrie, which he 

 mentioned as near at hand, and sport would be certain 

 on the morrow. With this cheering prospect therefore 

 before us, we sat down to our supper; and, plain as 

 were the viands, so much had our day's work sharpened 

 our appetites, that had they been the choicest delicacies 

 we could scarcely have enjoyed them more. We retired 

 to rest, or rather lay down on a straw and heather 

 pallet, in the same room, with the wind still howling, 

 having given directions to a shepherd, whose shieling 

 stood at the end of our hut, that he should call us at 

 the first appearance of dawn ; for the corrie, and 

 indeed every " neuk " and corner in the neighbourhood, 

 having been very much disturbed of late, by the 

 shepherds collecting their sheep, Donald was afraid 

 that the deer would take an early departure from the 

 sheltered ground, and make for the highest fastnesses 

 in the hills. 



Korie, the shepherd, was true to his word, and 

 roused us from our lowly beds (which, by the bye, we 

 had found as comfortable as the best goose-down) just 

 as the first faint streak of light appeared in the east- 

 It was a chill morning; and, though we wrapped our 

 plaids closely round us, the wind seemed to pierce us 

 through and through. We loaded our two guns and a 

 rifle with ball five barrels in all and set off, Eorie 

 taking the lead, as being the best acquainted with the 

 ground, direct for the corrie. The pace was fearful ; 

 for to the Highland shepherd, inured as he is from his 



