A PLEA FOR THE WASTES. 19 



being only wing-broken, ran into the water with so light 

 and graceful a step, it seemed as if walking on glass. 

 The rods were soon baited, the evening was perfect for 

 fishing, and the feroxes took well. We came over no 

 large ones, however, and the three brought into the boat 

 were only four, three, and two and a half pounds. We 

 had intended to troll to the bay of old Castle Connal, 

 eight miles down the loch, built, as Sandy says, by the 

 Danes, but were obliged to defer it till next day. The 

 bay which this castle commands is a famous resort of the 

 largest size of the ferox. When we fish it, Sandy always 

 tells a story of one of the Lochiels, who had been taken 

 captive by a hostile clan, and confined there. His jailor 

 had an annuity during his lifetime. The Camerons, how- 

 ever, found out where he was concealed, and came down 

 in a body. As soon as the wretch saw them, he stabbed 

 him with his penknife, having no other weapon at hand, 

 expecting a reward for his atrocity, which, no doubt, he 

 received. 



Night overtook us before we could gain the harbour of 

 Cladich, alias the Burn Foot, which is the only safe anchor- 

 age in case of a storm. And, indeed, it is very difficult to 

 bring up a boat anywhere else, the coast being so shallow. 

 The entrance to this burn is so intricate, that a man 

 rowing in and out every day may be completely puzzled 

 after dark. " Johnny," by some hieroglyphic shadowy 

 marks of the trees upon the water, known only to himself, 

 at last piloted us safely through, and was." Jock, my man," 

 till we got to the inn. 



