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Such sentiments as these, more particularly sug gested themselves to Amherst, during his expeditions to the Cairngorums, whither he went, nominally, indeed, in pursuit of ptarmigan and white hares, but, in reality, more for the purpose of enjoying the solemn scenery of the endless forest of pines, covering the stretch of country at their base, and of the wild lakes and glens in their hollows, as well as the boundless prospects to be had from their different summits. Amidst the enthusiasm of that rapture, excited in his ardent bosom by the contemplation of Nature, on a scale of savage grandeur he had never before an opportunity of beholding, he almost forgot what others would have considered as the chief object.

Often would he stop to give full scope to the pleasure he felt. Now, in the very depth of the forest, would he lean his back against the trunk of one of those gigantic fir-trees, of which there were many twenty or thirty feet in circumference, and looking out from beneath its bold free growing arms, and thick foliage, catch a view of some white summit, and watch the various effects pro duced by the light mists and clouds sweeping along its brow, like the fitful transitions of hu

man emotions. Again, stretched upon a heathy bank, or moss-grown cairn, he would lie silently surveying the long drawn vista of one of those lonely woodless lakes, there so frequent ;-its clear surface giving back the image of those overhanging cliffs, of height only accessible to the eagle, which sent down their foaming waterfalls, fed by the almost eternal beds of hardened snow hanging on their brow. Or lastly, rejoicing in those exhilarating feelings naturally arising from the occupation of a lofty and commanding position, he would throw his eyes from the ridge of the mountains, over the subjacent country, his field of vision reaching almost from sea to sea; and remarking how utterly all appearance of man and of his works was lost upon the face of the vast map below, he would think on the absolute insignificance of the creature, and on the vast-the immeasurable greatness,-the infinite power,-the eternity of the Creator!

It was after frequent instances of success in roeshooting, that Lochandhu at length proposed to Amherst to try the nobler game.

"You have been well enough bled with the roebucks, Mr Oakenwold," said Lochandhu to

him, one evening, as his guest returned from the woods; 66 we must now endeavour to flesh you with the deer. With your leave, we shall go to-morrow evening on an expedition against them."

Amherst readily agreed to Lochandhu's proposal, and every thing was arranged accordingly.

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But, see, his face is black, and full of blood;
His eye-balls further out than when he lived,
Staring full ghostly, like a strangled man:
His hair upreared, his nostrils stretched,

His hands abroad, displayed, as one that grasped with struggling,

And tugg'd for life, and was by strength subdued.

SHAKESPEARE.

Hark! I hear the sound of coaches!

The hour of attack approaches!

To your arms, brave boys, and load!

Beggars' Opera.

On the ensuing day, Amherst and his host set out on horseback, accompanied by O'Gollochar, and attended by several Highlanders on foot. They forded the river, and crossed the valley, and a little before night-fall they entered the

mouth of one of those glens, bringing down tributary streams, from that great mountain range, lying between the districts of Badenoch and Blair. The hills on both sides rose with steep acclivities, covered in most places with a forest of magnificent pines, but occasionally exhibiting precipitous rocks, or bare shattered stony fronts, where all vegetation was destroyed by the continual fall of loose materials. The path along which they rode was one of those slippery tracks, so common in mountainous countries, and every now and then, the aid of the stout attendants on foot became necessary, to prevent the horses from sliding down among the loose debris. They forded numerous torrents, roaring over the cliffs in cataracts, and appearing like sheeted spectres, when seen amidst the obscurity of night, that deepened the blackness of the yawning ravines down which they poured.

At length, after many hours hazardous riding, they reached a small bothy, or hovel of sod, erected by the hunters. Here a fire was soon kindled, for plenty of dry bog-fir was found ready heaped up. The custom is, that whoever avails himself of the shelter of such a place, is bound

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