SANDY'S STORY 129 



succeeded. It was managed by cutting away my 

 narrow track at the edge of the rock which over- 

 hung the river. To do this required much labour 

 and risk ; but it was effected by suspending a ladder, 

 which was fastened by strong ropes to stakes driven 

 in the ground some distance above. I need not 

 say that I watched the work with no great satisfac- 

 tion ; and as I saw the foundation of my once 

 favourite track fall into the river below, when they 

 gradually broke it away, it made my heart ache. 

 I felt that I must now either stay and be killed, or 

 move into another country. I decided on the latter. 

 Although I vowed in an hour of distress, when 

 first hunted by the hounds there, never to run the 

 risk of them again if I escaped, I recrossed the 

 Tweed into England, and have taken up my quarters 

 on one of the highest parts of the Cheviot Hills, 

 hoping to find a safe retreat from them. There are, 

 however, dangers to be dreaded there, as well as in 

 every country where hounds are not kept to hunt 

 us ; but the system of destruction to be dreaded by 

 me is one that is adopted on mountainous parts 

 alone. The shepherds of the mountains on certain 

 days gather together against us, armed with guns, 

 and aided by dogs of all sorts, from the greyhound 

 to the colUe. The sagacity and docihty of the latter 



