240 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



myself. This indignity Sandy resisted at first, but I was per- 

 emptory, and he now contrives to keep me between him and 

 Johnny, who is slyly keeking round. When he has got his 

 glass, however, he seems to think it a good job well over, and 

 occasionally attempts some wit. I never like to see his 

 sorrowful face then, or even to hear his joke ; it seems as if 

 uttered in bitterness of heart. I could not resist having a peep 

 into the kite's nest. She had no eggs yet, but all was ready 

 for them, plenty of soft warm odds-and-ends for the lining. 

 The two birds, balancing themselves at a great height above, 

 kept strict watch over our movements. It is a great pity that 

 the kite has become so rare, for it always gives a sort of finish- 

 ing touch to our pine-clothed hills. 



The breeze had freshened. The squalls had settled into a 

 steady gale, and we were fully seven miles from Cladich. 

 I wished, at least, to try some of the best ground on our way 

 home, having little hope of pulling the whole distance against 

 such a head-wind. Sandy, however, was unable to make any 

 way ; and upon Johnny's complaining that the boat was drift- 

 ing back, fairly gave in. I had always relieved the old man 

 when we had to cross the loch, or go quickly past bad fishing- 

 ground, upon which occasions I used to hear Johnny taunting 

 him. When I took the oar, Sandy always had his revenge by, 

 " You've met your match noo, lad." Since it was impossible 

 to fish any of the way back, I dried my lines along the shore, 

 and determined to enjoy the lonely walk to the inn. The road 

 for some miles was a steep mountain-track, which seemed 

 only fitted for a flock of goats. On some parts of this dismal 

 region the sun seldom shines, and on others scarce a ray 

 penetrates all the winter. The whole hill was studded with 

 ragged rocks and stones, and a more dreary path could hardly 

 be imagined gloomy without grandeur. Slowly we plodded 

 to accommodate old Sandy, whose short breath effectually 

 stopped his wild legends. 



