THE LAKE OF THE FAIRIES. 147 



named Peter Doig, a powerful bandy-legged carle, 

 who % looked as if he could tackle a poacher ; he 

 himself was a noted poacher in former days, but 

 now eschewed wicked ways. Archie says Peter 

 is a perfect treasury of sensation stories, which he 

 characterized as "awfu' riggs wi' keepers, warlocks, 

 and women, and sic like cattle." We shall see if 

 we can get at some of his tales. 



Peter directed us to the easiest line home, and 

 pointed to certain woods and semi-cultivated places 

 where, he said, we should find black game and a 

 few roedeer. Home almost in a bee-line over hill 

 and bog, we arrived at the Lodge shortly after six, 

 well pleased and not a little tired. 



Major Duncan and Fred had been home some 

 time with good baskets of burn trout, although the 

 burn was small ; but with carefully keeping out of 

 sight one can usually get trout, however small 

 and clear the water may be. 



On the day before the 12th, there seemed to be 

 a sort of tacit understanding that light claret was 

 the safe thing. 



It was arranged that we should make our first 

 beat around the loch. There was no particular 

 wish to make a boastful bag the first day, or indeed 



L 2 



