100 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



the ground on every side without success. Only one bird 

 was put up out of all distance, which my friend determined 

 to follow ; so, agreeing to meet at the foot of the hill, we 

 took different ranges. Fortune again declared in my favour ; 

 for, just as I was scrambling with hand and knee up a steep 

 precipice, a pack of four rose upon the very top, and flew into 

 mid-air, just giving me time to steady myself, cock my gun, 

 and get a distant shot, when one of them dropped into the 

 gulf below. I sent my guide to fetch it, which he accom- 

 plished with some difficulty ; and then despatched him in 

 quest of my less successful companion, with the injunction 

 that, if he joined in pursuit of my game, the odds would be 

 three to one in his favour. 



I had scarcely got to the peak, where I thought it most 

 probable my three fugitives would again take refuge, when I 

 was overtaken by one of those bitter hail-showers which 

 often fall on the mountains in early autumn ; so, placing my 

 gun in its waterproof cover, and my back, Fitz-James-like, 

 against a rock, I impatiently hoped for the cessation of the 

 storm. Scarcely had it begun to abate, when an alpine 

 hare came curtseying past about eighty yards from my shelter, 

 and then seated herself with equal grace, as tempting a 

 mark for a rifle as could possibly be placed. It was not to 

 be resisted even with my small shot. So, slowly uncasing my 

 gun, and taking deadly aim, I fired. Puss gave an active 

 bound at this unlooked-for attack, and took her leave with 

 far less ceremony than she made her entre'e. 



I had just reloaded, when my guide appeared with a breath- 

 less malediction on my gun. He had seen my friend going 

 down the mountain, but quite beyond recall ; and, when re- 

 turning to me, had stumbled on the ptarmigan, most con- 

 spicuously perched on the top of a rock. He was in the act 

 of taking his marks to know the place again, in the hope of 

 finding me, when my shot abruptly put an end to his schemes. 

 The birds were equally dissatisfied with the sound as their 



