152 ARDENMOHR. 



Another and a more cogent reason : Major Duncan 

 and I are salmon-fishers, and all who follow this 

 sport of sports know what a craze it becomes. The 

 salmon, the fox, and the red deer are the sports- 

 man's three Graces \ and, compared with their 

 pursuit, other sports seem mere pastimes, not 

 passions. How few men would rise soon after 

 midnight, and stumble over moss and muir in the 

 dark morning for a bag of game, a round of golf, 

 or the choicest quartette at whist ! Yet many 

 would cheerfully do that, and more, for the mere 

 chance of a salmon, a stag, or a good run with 

 hounds; and even Ward and Fred might have 

 considered twice had grouse-shooting required them 

 to pack up rods and leave the glories of loch and 

 river. It was, therefore, scarcely meant to throw 

 over the fishing, much as we were pleased at a 

 lively change of sport. 



Breakfast was just begun, when John Eraser 

 rode past the window on a stout hill pony. This 

 shaggy quadruped, named Punch, is to remain as 

 an extra shooting-pony. 



Fred brought in the gudeman for a second 

 breakfast and a stirrup-cup. 



Some extra baggage being mounted on Punch, 



