180 NATURAL BRIDGES. 



with each other on a hill side. They turned deadly pale at this fatal 

 rencounter. "I was first at the top," said Bendearg, "and called out 

 first; lie down that I may pass over in peace." "When the Grant 

 prostrates himself hefore Macpherson," answered the other, " it must be 

 with a sword driven through his body.'' "Turn back then," said 

 Bendearg, "and pass as you came." " Go back yourself if you like it," 

 replied Grant, " I will not be the first of my name to turn before the 

 Macpherson." This was their short conference, and the result exactly 

 as each other had anticipated; they then threw their bonnets over the 

 precipice and advanced with slow and cautious steps closer to each other; 

 they were both unarmed, and stretching their limbs like men preparing 

 for a desperate struggle, they planted their feet firmly on the ground, 

 compressed their lips, knit their dark brows, and fixing fierce and 

 watchful eyes on each other, stood thus prepared for the onset. They 

 both grappled at the same time ; but being of equal strength were unable 

 to shift each other's position; standing fixed on a rock with suppressed 

 breath, and muscles strained to the " top of their heart," like statues 

 carved out of the solid stone. At length Macpherson-suddenly removing 

 his right foot so as to give him greater purchase, stooped his body and 

 bent his enemy down with him by main strength, till they both leaned over 

 the precipice, looking downwards into the terrible abyss. The contest 

 was as yet doubtful, for Grant had placed his foot firmly on an elevation 

 at the brink, and had equal command of his enemy ; but at this moment 

 Macpherson sunk slowly and firmly on his knee, and while Grant 

 suddenly started back, stooping to take the supposed advantage, whirled 

 him over his head into the gulf; Macpherson himself fell backwards, his 

 body hanging partly over the rock ; a fragment gave way beneath him, 

 and he sunk farther, till catching with a desperate effort at the solid stone 

 above, he regained his footing. There was a pause of deathlike stillness, 

 and the bold heart of Macpherson felt sick and faint. At length, as if 

 compelled unwillingly by some mysterious feeling, he looked down over the 

 precipice Grant had caught, with a death gripe, by the rugged point of a 

 rock; his enemy was almost within his reach; his face was turned 

 upwards, and there was in it horror and despair but he uttered 

 no word nor cry. The next moment he loosed his hold, and the next his 

 brains were dashed out before the eyes of his hereditary foe! The 

 mangled body disappeared among the trees, and its last heavy and 

 hollow sound arose from the bottom. Macpherson returned home an 

 altered man. 



