PLEASANT PLACES 15 



by road. Braemore's steam yacht, The Southern Cross, 

 came to Poltalloch, where I was then spending one 

 of my many very happy "Autumns in Argyllshire." 

 We had a lovely cruise up the beautiful coast, calling 

 on our way at Oban, Loch Hourn, and other places, 

 and taking toll of the sea fish with trawl and hand- 

 line. Arthur Fowler, the eldest son, then a lad now 

 alas ! no more was our host and companion ; his 

 father was not on board. 



The first morning the ponies were brought to the 

 door after an early breakfast, and I started with 

 Monty Fowler along the Garve road, which divides the 

 Braemore Forest conveniently into two beats, Ben 

 Dearig and Strome. The stalker, McHardy, was 

 somewhat of an autocrat, and as I afterwards thought 

 a little too much inclined to treat the sportsman 

 accompanying him as an automaton, and to direct his 

 movements arbitrarily without taking him into his 

 confidence as to the why and wherefore 



" Theirs not to make reply, 

 Theirs not to reason why," 



but he was a magnificent stalker, and knew every 

 stone in the forest, and every trick of the currents of 

 air which drew through the corries. He was also a 

 keen observer of Nature, and used to bring back many 

 rare plants and ferns from distant heights, to be 

 planted in his mistress's cherished rock garden and 

 fernery by the side of her path below the house. 



Every little incident of that day forty years ago 

 comes back to me as I write, 



" As tho' 'twere yesterday ; as tho' it were 

 The hour just flown." 



