SPORT IN BUTE. 211 



celebrated Kussian pointer dog with an excellent smooth 

 bitch) which could work all day and never cry " enough." The 

 whole four were hard workers, had exquisite noses, never got 

 footsore, and were perfectly steady on all game. My retriever 

 Auk completed the lot, and in my whole sporting experience 

 I have only had one to surpass him. 



Bad weather at the 12th does not annoy me, as I have no 

 objection to allow a week or ten days' " cheeper law." In the 

 year just referred to, I did not shoot till the 22d, and had the 

 comfort of never hearing a squeak all day. The morning was 

 dull, and heavy mists lowered on the peaks of Arran and the 

 Argyllshire mountains. In face of this the barometer steadily 

 rose, and being seconded by a few breaks of the clouds, it was 

 decided to send forward the mid-day relief of dogs, with orders 

 to return should the weather fail. 



Scarcely had we left the lodge gate when a depressing drop 

 of rain fixed all eyes on the horizon. A fine bit of blue, large 

 enough even for a Hollander's tarpaulins, decided the point 

 in favour of the day ; but the " spitty " rain did not cease for 

 some time, and was sufficiently damping to turn homeward the 

 gillie and his dogs. He joyously faced about again, assuring 

 us he would be at the farmhouse where we meant to put up 

 our car almost as soon as we should. It was now about 

 nine, and the lad's directions were to meet us on the hill with 

 the provision-basket and fresh dogs at two o'clock. 



At a quarter to ten I uncoupled on the crest of Clochnabae. 

 The heather was at first so wet as to preclude immediate hope 

 of close shots ; but the sun was blinking out, and would soon 

 make it dry enough. On circling round the hill, first one 

 good pack, then another, each led by the jeering crow of the 

 old cock, rose merrily in the very line of our range. At this 

 moment a large red hare sprang up at my feet ; and although 

 unwilling to encumber my game-carrier with such lumber, I 

 rolled her over in very spite. First blood of season 1865 ; 

 but then it was only footed, not winged gore. Sun out now, 



