134 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



The black guillemot was not visible to-day, but a pair of 

 peregrines flew out screaming from their eyrie, the sharp flicker 

 of their wings contrasting with the solemn flap, flap of the 

 sea-birds. 



The ebbing tide made our landing on the May for a trial of 

 the cormorant-roosts rather difficult. On our way we called 

 at the lighthouse, and the keeper and his wife most civilly 

 agreed to give us tea on our return from the rocks, and al- 

 lowed us to eke it out by shooting a rabbit. A row of " Let- 

 ter-o'-marques " were already drawn up on their night quar- 

 ters. One of the nearest, decked in the most bright and 

 varied colours, looked like their chief. Of course lie was the 

 target, but being fixed at far too long a range, dropped down 

 the abyss with the rest, little inconvenienced by the No. 2. 

 Had we not been so eager, another overlooked approach would 

 have abridged the distance by thirty yards, when most likely 

 this brilliant specimen would have been ours. The only re- 

 source now was to take post above the rocks, and await the 

 return of our fugitives. As dusk was setting in, they soon 

 began to cross backwards and forwards at long distance. 

 Fearing that darkness would stop our shooting, we were 

 forced to try these random chances, which were all shot- 

 proof. 



Seated at our snug meal in the lighthouse, Kelly appeared 

 with rueful face. " The nicht," he said, " looked ugly : rain 

 had set in, and they had much difficulty, from the surf and 

 low tide, in getting our carpet-bags out of the boat." I sug- 

 gested pulling her up on the beach, but Kelly shook his head. 

 They could neither take her out of the water, nor come on 

 shore themselves all night, lest she might be dashed in pieces. 

 We therefore made the poor fellows as comfortable as we could 

 by a bottle of whisky, some good table-beer, and an ample 

 supply of food. 



We begged our kind host to allow us to see the tower 

 lighted. This was strictly against rules, but he at once 



