CBAP-NA-GOWEB 



THE heather was bare and run to seed, the bell had long 

 faded, and the grouse were wild and packed, when I 

 received a note from my brother to say " that, in conse- 

 quence of the mischief the flock of wild goats had done to 

 the newly planted trees on his deer island, he had de- 

 termined to extirpate them ; but had reserved the two 

 old Billies for my rifle." Well pleased, I obeyed the 

 summons. 



The evening I came to Kossdhu was dull and cold; 

 rather watery looking for the west ; but at grey of next 

 morning I threw up my window, and was happy to find 

 that it had cleared to bright starlight, with a crisp night 

 frost. The ivy owl was sounding his melancholy note, 

 foreboding abdication, while old chanticleer welcomed the 

 first faint streaks of the dawn by a blast from his cheery 

 trumpet. It had a curious effect, and seemed a contention 

 between the spirits of night and morning. It was a good 

 omen, for the sun rose in cloudless lustre, and by breakfast- 

 time was flaming down upon the antiquated beeches, now 



