GROUSE AGAIN. 165 



for lunch ? and, first, what do you make out the bag 

 to be, Archie?" 



" Seventy-six head, Major." 



"So do I. Now take that basket of provision for 

 yourselves. No no, not that one ; that's the grouse 

 pie, man. And, Archie ! " 



" Yes, Major." 



"Don't give the men too much whiskey: that 

 spring looks treacherous." 



"It's what, Major ? They say it's the finest spring 

 in the West Heelands." 



"Just what I mean, Archie: it may make the 

 whiskey go down too freely." 



"Precisely, sir, nae fear;" and Archie smiled 

 grimly, and vanished with his comforts behind the 

 rock. 



"Have grouse pie, Abbott?" 



"Yes, thank you, Major." 



"And you, Hope?" 



"Much obliged, not yet; I must first have some 

 pickled trout." 



"And drink the spring dry. What will you take, 

 Fred?" 



" Grouse, gruyere, spring water, and a cheroot, 

 Major." 



