200 



THE BIRDS OF IONA AND MULL. 



mile, crossing a narrow footbridge formed of two planks (which I had 

 to do on all fours), and fording another bad torrent, I at length ran 

 my nose up against the gable of the house, and, after groping along 

 to reach the door, I next found myself steaming before a huge fire 

 of blazing peats roaring up the chimney, which quickly dried the 

 lona tartans, and made the outward man all that was comfortable, 

 while broiled herrings, potatoes, and tea did for the inner ; and then 

 with a hot tumbler, a pipe, and feet on the mantelpiece, Doran 

 and I listened as the casement rattled, the chimney rumbled, and 

 the storm battered against the gable of the little rattle-trap shanty 

 of an inn, feeling thankful that we were housed on such a night 

 as one would not wish one's enemy's dog to be out in. 



