JHAP. XXxiI.] HIGHLAND SHEEP. 183 
At eleven o’clock at night, when looking at it by the light of 
a brilliant northern moon (every cloud having long disappeared), 
we found that the water had already begun to subside, though it 
still roared on with great fury. On the opposite rocks we could 
see many a mountain burn as they glanced in the moonlight. 
Every bird and animal was at rest, excepting a couple of owls 
answering each other with loud hootings, which were plainly 
heard above the noise of the waters. 
The friend I was with being obliged ‘to go home the next 
day, I determined also to wend my way to the low country, and 
to follow the river till I reached my own house. 
We started on horseback very early. Nothing could exceed 
the beauty of the morning, and everything, animate and inani- 
mate, seemed to smile rejoicingly. The Findhorn had returned 
to its usual size, and danced merrily in the sunshine. The 
streams on the opposite cliffs were again like silver threads, and 
the sheep were winding along the narrow paths on the face of 
the rocks, the animals looking to us as if they were walking, 
like flies, on the very face of the perpendicular cliffs. We saw 
a flock of some thirty or so making their way in single file along 
these paths: while we watched them they came to a place where 
their road was broken up by the yesterday’s torrents. We could 
not understand what they would do. The path was evidently 
too narrow to turn; and, as well as we could see with our glasses, 
to proceed was impossible. However, after ashort halt the leader 
sprang over the obstacle, whatever it was, and alighted safely on 
the opposite side. The least false step would have sent him 
down many hundred feet. However, they all got over in safety, 
and having filed away for some little distance slowly along the 
face of the precipice, they came to a small green shelf, appa- 
rently only a few yards square, the object of all their risk and 
labour. As fast as they got on this they dispersed, and com- 
menced feeding quickly about it. We did not wait to see them 
return, as we had a long day’s journey before us. Behind the 
house the hill seemed alive with grouse, crowing in the morning 
sun. My hound came out baying joyously to see me, and we 
started on our day’s journey. Our road took us through birch- 
woods, fragrant from the yesterday’s rain, and in which the 
birds sang right merrily. As we descended the river we passed 
