CHAPTER XIV. 



BALNAGOWN AND BIRDS. 



SLIPPING down the hills, gliding over the tops and moving swiftly 

 toward the lower ground by the sea in a comfortable motor car, 

 well handled, is not a bad way to pass a sunny Sunday morning. 



From Benmore to Balnagown recollection of the good stalks rife 

 with lively incidents ; blood strongly stirring with healthy vigor and 

 reaching out with imagination's hands for the softer though still great 

 pleasures of bird shooting, one could not be unhappy, try ever so hard. 



Taking one's ease after days of strenuous highland stalking is not 

 an unpleasant way to pass a little time. Nor are the hours wasted 

 spent in wandering through fine old woods, well kept gardens or 

 mention it not in the hearing of those who would consider such an act 

 iconoclastic along the flume that bears water from the modern con- 

 crete dam to the latest model of turbine and develops electric current 

 for the castle or power for the sawmill with which my host amuses 

 himself. 



I was told that nine o'clock Tuesday morning would be a good time 

 for me to start for a day at walking up partridges. I met Campbell, 

 the head keeper at the main door of the Castle, as, equipped for soft 

 ground work, I stepped out at that hour the next morning. The motor 

 waited and in this we sped away, six miles or so along hedged lanes, by 

 woods and fields and farms to a crossroad where we encountered Mor- 

 rison, underkeeper, with bulbous nose and rheumy eyes, courteous, 

 willing and anxious to please. 



Descending from the motor, we prepared to enter a turnip field which 

 was convenient to our near left. The turnips were planted in rows 

 possibly two feet apart, the tops reasonably thick, showing variation 

 on account of the richness of the soil as they do in America or any- 

 where they grow. I was somewhat surprised that the only dog we had 

 was a thick-coated black retriever. 



We covered the field by advancing with about fifteen yards between 

 us, Campbell on my right and Morrison on my left. They did not 



