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           Heobjectedthatbyturningtotheeast,weshouldcomealmostatonceamongtheAtholeStewarts,araceofhisownnameandlineage,althoughfollowingadifferentchief,andcomebesidesbyafareasierandswifterwaytotheplacewhitherwewerebound.Butthegillie,whowasindeedthechiefmanofCluny’sscouts,hadgoodreasonstogivehimonallhands,namingtheforceoftroopsineverydistrict,andallegingfinally(aswellasIcouldunderstand)thatweshouldnowherebesolittletroubledasinacountryoftheCampbells.

           Alangavewayatlast,butwithonlyhalfaheart.“It’soneofthedowiestcountriesinScotland,”saidhe.“There’snaethingtherethatIken,butheath,andcrows,andCampbells.ButIseethatye’reamanofsomepenetration;andbeitasyeplease!”

           Wesetforthaccordinglybythisitinerary;andforthebestpartofthreenightstravelledoneeriemountainsandamongthewell-headsofwildrivers;oftenburiedinmist,almostcontinuallyblownandrainedupon,andnotoncecheeredbyanyglimpseofsunshine.Byday,welayandsleptinthedrenchingheather;bynight,incessantlyclambereduponbreak-neckhillsandamongrudecrags.Weoftenwandered;wewereoftensoinvolvedinfog,thatwemustliequiettillitlightened.Afirewasnevertobethoughtof.OuronlyfoodwasdrammachandaportionofcoldmeatthatwehadcarriedfromtheCage;andasfordrink,Heavenknowswehadnowantofwater.

           Thiswasadreadfultime,renderedthemoredreadfulbythegloomoftheweatherandthecountry.