Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/361

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PART OF SCOTLAND.
343

it, assumed a most beautiful tint, contrasted with the dark russet of every thing beneath it. Few beings, but drovers, take up their quarters at this house; not wholly because of its desolate situation, but because it is very dirty. It is one of the houses government provides; therefore, as the folks who keep it have it rent free, it ought to be made more comfortable for travellers. My mind was bent upon a fascinating pursuit, consequently trifles neither deterred me nor disgusted me. Although I had travelled but eighteen miles, the horses were tired: it was nine or ten miles more to the place I had set my mind upon visiting, and the road bad, so I determined on an eighteen mile's drive in a peat cart, across which was fastened a board by way of seat. As soon as I had taken my short meal, and secured my pig-hole to sleep in, I left my maid to take care of every thing, and mounted the cart: my servant did the same, and away we went. I crossed the small bridge by King's House door, over a stream, which joining other torrents, helps to form the Etive water, which afterwards falls into the lake of that name, and in that country is called Etie. I then turned my face to the west, towards the stupendous mountains which close up the head