108 DATS OF DEER-STALKING. 



This portage was absolutely necessary, for our frieud had 

 the disadvantage of London shoes, which are somewhat of 

 the neatest ; and as the captain of Bewcastle said to Wat 

 Tinliun, the heels risp,* and the seems rive.f 



They now came to firmer ground, and resolved, though it 

 was somewhat out of their way, to strike across to the firm 

 cart-track. This was so overgrown with heather, that it 

 was not very distinguishable in day-time ; and they were 

 now only assured of their arrival at it by scraping with 

 their feet, and thus ascertaining that the ground was hard. 



" We are now at Eraser's cairn, and the Lord of Lovat's 

 spirit may be abroad, calling for his horse. Are you not 

 horribly afraid, Peter ? " 



" Hout-tout ! Clish-ma-claver, I'm o'er auld farran to be 

 fleyed for bogles." 



" And now, Lightfoot, as our difficulties are fairly over, 

 and you have your atttention at liberty, I will finish my 

 description of Badenoch, by giving you an account of its 

 celebrated forest of Gawick. Should you like to hear it ? " 



" Very much ; it will lighten our way ; provided you will 

 leave out everything that relates to bogs, burns, pits, and 

 kelpies, ' an universe of death.' " 



" Well, then, I must tell you that there are many very 

 interesting circumstances connected with this forest ; but 

 though it may be somewhat dull, I will give you a descrip- 

 tion of its boundaries before I enter upon them. 



" Its bearing is in a south-west direction ; and it is bounded 

 on the south by the hills ' of the braes of Atholl,' on the 

 north and east by Glentromy and Corrybran, and on the 

 west by the Glentruim and Drumnachter hills. 



" In the centre of Gawick there is a plain about eight 

 miles long, and in this plain there are three lakes Loch- 

 andellich, Loch Bhroddin, and Lochindoune all abounding 

 with excellent char and trout. There is also another species 

 of fish, called by the natives, Dormain. This fish is large, 

 has a huge head, and is supposed to prevent salmon from 

 ascending to the lakes : some of them weigh from twenty 

 to thirty pounds. The hills on each side of this plain are 



* Creak. f Tear. 



