XXVI RA VENS AND EAGLES 235 



position, saw me in an instant, and was off, at the speed of 

 twenty miles an hour, to a pass wide from that where Donald 

 was hid. While clattering up the hill, scattering the loose 

 stones behind him, two other stags joined him, which had evi- 

 dently been put up by Donald, and had given the alarm to my 

 quarry. It was then that his great size was conspicuous. I 

 could see with my glass they were full-grown stags, and with 

 good heads, but they looked like fallow-deer as they followed 

 him up the crag. I sat down, disappointed for the moment, 

 and Donald soon joined me, much crestfallen, and cursing the 

 stag in a curious variety of Gaelic oaths. Still it was something 

 to have seen " the muckle stag,'' and nil desperandum was my 

 motto. We had a long and weary walk to Malcolm's shealing ; 

 and I was glad to get to my heather bed, after arranging that 

 I should occupy the hiding-place Malcolm had prepared near 

 the dead sheep next morning. 



Wednesday. — We were up an hour before daylight ; and in 

 a very dark morning I sallied out with Malcolm to take my 

 station for a shot at the eagles. Many a stumble and slip I 

 made during our walk, but at last I was left alone fairly 

 ensconced in the hiding-place, which gave me hardly room to 

 stand, sit, or lie. My position was not very comfortable, and 

 the air was nipping cold just before the break of day. It was 

 still scarcely grey dawn when a bird, with a slow flapping 

 flight, passed the opening of my hut, and lighted out of sight, 

 but near, for I heard him strike the ground ; and my heart 

 beat faster. What was my disappointment when his low crow- 

 ing croak announced the raven ! and presently he came in sight, 

 hopping and walking suspiciously round the sheep ; till, sup- 

 posing the coast clear, and little wotting of the double-barrel, 

 he hopped upon the carcass, and began with his square cut-and- 

 thrust beak to dig at the meat. Another raven soon joined 

 him, and then two more ; who, after a kind of parley, quite 

 intelligible, though in an unknown tongue, were admitted to 

 their share of the banquet. I was watching their voracious 

 meal with some interest, when suddenly they set up a croak of 

 alarm, stopped feeding, and all turned their knowing-looking 

 eyes in one direction. At that moment I heard a sharp scream, 

 but very distant. The black party heard it too ; and instantly 

 darted off, alighting again at a little distance. Next moment 



