192 ARDENMOHR. 



scenery, burn -fish ing, inartistic sketching, and the 

 last batch of magazines, endless resources." 



"A strong case for the client, Hope," the Major 

 said ; " and, besides, it is possible we may not be 

 so requisite as we fancy. Say Wednesday for the 

 great beat ; but see you carry it off nicely." 



" Ha ! military decision at last," said Hope ; 

 and on meeting the ladies he did do his mission 

 with a quiet tact for which I had hardly given 

 him credit. Still, he did somewhat risk compro- 

 mising us by promising blackcock feathers for the 

 maidens' hats ; this was rash, for . it is not at all 

 child's play to put salt on the tails of the full- 

 grown Tetrao tetrix, the old cocks of this family 

 being swift of wing, and as wary as red deer. 



On the morning arranged we drove off, and by an 

 early hour dismounted at an old shealing on the 

 hill-side above Loch-na-Seachin ; and, having stabled 

 the horses in a shed and provided for their com- 

 fort, we walked down to the side of the loch, and 

 found men and dogs all ready. 



The weather aspects were not promising a dull 

 gloomy sky and not a breath of wind ; but, looking 

 over the ranges of rugged brae, bog, and moor 

 around us, there seemed little doubt of seeing 



