THE ROUTE CONTINUED. 75 



I 



and employed as they are almost unremittingly, take 

 the fish in very great numbers. At one place through 

 which we passed, where there was a small collection of 

 fishermen's huts, we were told that three hundred had 

 lately been taken in one day. And } r et, in spite of 

 these disadvantages, there are three rivers at the head of 

 this frith, and dependent on its waters for their supply 

 of fish, which nevertheless afford sport almost equal to 

 the best in Scotland. 



As we approached the head of the frith, the clouds, 

 which had been gathering for some time, began to shed 

 a scanty rain. This, however, did not last long; a 

 breeze springing up dispersed the dampness, and every- 

 thing looked promising and bright. The scenery now 

 grew less varied, being chiefly moorland, gently undu- 

 lating; though in the distance on either hand there 

 were lofty and bold hills bounding the horizon. A 

 three hours' drive brought us to Scaurdale Bridge, 

 whence we had a view of the quarters we were to 

 occupy, a secluded inn, lately rebuilt in a pretty style, 

 being a one-storied house, forming three sides, of a 

 square. We paused on the bridge to look at the river 

 rushing beneath us, the merits of which we proposed 

 soon to test. There were some picturesque little 

 Highland bairns playing happily on its bank, a tame 

 roe-fawn joining fearlessly in their sport, and gam- 

 bolling gracefully around, as they stood to inspect the 

 strangers. At two o'clock we drew up in "the square," 

 before the hotel door; saw our pony properly cared 

 for, having brought corn along with us (a precaution, 

 by-the-by, always to be commended, as it is frequently 

 in these parts an utter impossibility to procure such a 

 commodity, people preferring to convert their oats into 

 meal and cakes for themselves, rather than keep it "on 



