A RIDE TO THE GREAT LOCH. 49 



wards saved him some trouble, and, probably^ 

 fish. 



By two o'clock the day had cleared up ; but it was 

 too late to fish the river, which, besides, would 

 likely be discoloured with the rain ; so it was agreed 

 that the Major and I should ride the ponies to the 

 loch, and help the launching of the new boat that was 

 to be sent on to-day. Ward and Fred resolved to 

 fish the burn. 



On crossing the hills to the loch we saw a good 

 deal of game, which was satisfactory as this is not 

 one of the best beats. Indeed, we had leased 

 Ardenmohr rather for the fishing and the wide range 

 and wildness of the scenery than as a stocked 

 moor, which it is not; but the sport is always 

 ample, and so strange and varied that for good 

 walkers it is infinitely to be preferred to an ordinary 

 grouse moor, where there is little variety from 

 day to day but the tameness or shyness of the 

 birds, 



At the loch we met the game-watcher and another 

 man waiting for the boat, which by-and by arrived, 

 mounted on old coach wheels, and drawn by two 

 stout horses, John Fraser superintending. The 

 " concern," as John called it, had been twice bogged 



E 



