A BATTLE GAINED BY THE MARTEN. 55 



bats in the Morven district of Argylshire. In crossing 

 the mountains from Loch Sunart southward, he passed 

 along the bank of a very deep wooded dell, the hollow 

 of which, though it occasionally showed green patches 

 through the trees and coppice, was one hundred and 

 fifty, or about two hundred feet from the top. The 

 dell is difficult of access, and contains nothing that 

 would compensate for the labour ; and thus it is aban- 

 doned to wild animals, and among others to the marten, 

 which, though the skin fetches a high price, is not so 

 much hunted there as in more open places ; because, 

 though they might succeed in shooting it from the 

 heights above, they could not be sure of removing the 

 body. Thus it is left to contend with the mountain 

 cat for the sovereignty of that particular dell, and both 

 are safe, except when they approach the farmhouse at 

 the bottom of the hill. The contest there lasted for 

 more than half an hour, and both combatants were too 

 intent on each other's destruction, to shun or fear 

 observation. At last, however, the marten succeeded 

 in falling upon the right side of the cat's neck, and 

 jerking his long body over her, so as to be out of the 

 reach of her claws; when, after a good deal of squeaking 

 and struggling, by which the enemy could not be shaken 

 off, the martial achievements of puss were ended in the 

 field of glory. 



The victories of the marten over the golden eagle, 

 though there be a tale of one of them at every place 

 where eagles and martens are common, are not quite so 

 well authenticated ; and wood-cats, pole-cats, and even 

 weasels, which, though lithe and active enough in their 

 way, are certainly nothing to the martens, are often the 



