times in the dusk of night; and allude to his having rushed over the palace when Henri Quatre was assassinated.'

"I listened to this old legend, and to some similar ones, which my companion had heard from the shepherds during his rides through those forests. But though we trod the very spots marked out from time immemorial as haunted ground, no sensation of the presence of weird and unearthly forms, invisible to human eye, stole over us; nor, could we have seen the weird huntsman himself on the top of the dizzy height which now opened on us, as we turned round a jutting crag, I doubt if he would have created more surprise than the sight which met our eyes. This was none other than the stag which we left on the rocks of Avon, and which, pursued to the last extremity, had evaded the dogs by plunging into the inextricable labyrinth of this part of the forest, and was now bounding-almost flying-from crag to crag, with a speed that seemed almost supernatural: the swallow itself could not have swept along with more rapid evolutions.

"While I gazed on him with admiration, part of the hunt appeared on his track, and the stag immediately started off towards the Cross of Vitre. From thence he persued his way to the Cross of Augas, and from the Cross of Augas to the Cross of Toulouse. This highway is the most extensive of any that runs through the forest. It was now late in the day, and the pack kept up the pursuit with the same animation as at the commencement; while the hunted animal began to show signs of weariness as they reached the route to Boulogne-his step was less rapid, his head more bent.

"And now those of the dogs which had been kept back to the last were let loose to finish the hunt; and fresh dogs, prickers, and cavaliers seemed to rush forward on every side.

"We were fairly off in the route to Boulogne, when the stag suddenly turned towards the right, and we lost sight of him for an instant as he made for Sablons. He crossed the village, holding the dogs at bay. He is at his last extremity. The villagers stand on the thresholds and crowd the windows of the cabins. From every cottage garden peeps out the face of a woman or child, all watching for a sight of the king, all satisfied that the stag must fall before their eyes; for the unfortunate stag is hemmed in by the side of a high enclosure, which he cannot pass. Beyond this enclosure stretches out the open country, full of thickets and inequalities. If the animal had only taken the other route there was a chance for him; but he must fall here! We prepared for the death; when, in the twinkling of an eye, the stag, gifted by desperation with almost supernatural power, cleared the wall! "To the plain, to the plain! he takes to the level ground!' And at these words the entire hunt were after him at their utmost speed. Panting and slow did the stag proceed. His strength visibly decreased. He no longer trusted to the swiftness of his limbs for safety. No, it is by stratagem that he can alone save himself. But in those new paths into which he has so imprudently plunged, he meets none of his kind-no herd of deer to take shelter amongst, and by so doing baffle the scent of the hounds. Overcome with heat and fatigue, and all bathed in sweat, the exhalations from his body leave a long track in the pure country air. His chance from swiftness of foot is now small indeed; but he remembers that, yonder below, he will reach, by keeping to the left, the

waters of the rivers Seine and Loing, which spread out there deep and wide.

"He knows those waters well. Often had he sought their banks and enjoyed their cool breezes during the hot nights of summer and autumn, and now, if he can reach them, they will shield him from danger! Meanwhile the cavaliers dashed on with redoubled speed, and the death of the weary stag seemed near at hand.

"We shall have the hallali in the water!' said my companion.

"We must take up a good position at once,' I replied; and we lost no time in climbing the hill, on which stood the village of Veneux, and taking possession of a steep height which looked down upon the Seine.

"The green prairie beneath us was filling fast, with the moving objects of the hunt-mounted cavaliers in a variety of uniforms, the dogs almost touching the heels of the tired stag, and the rest of the hunt following, with all speed, the turns and windings of the banks of the two confluent rivers. On the banks of the Seine, opposite to us, peasants were assembled in groups, apparently taking an intense interest in watching the crisis of the hunt. The boats which plied between Montereau and Paris seemed to float idly as the boatmen lay on their oars; while the villages which stretch along the banks of the river Loing sent their whole population forth to throng its margin.

"While my friend and I gazed upon this exciting scene-rendered more so by the sight of cavaliers, delayed or misled in the hunt, appearing on the steep declivities which hung over the Seine, and, hurried on by their passion for the chase, dashing down the breakneck heights, whose perpendicular sides were covered with sharp rocks and old stumps of trees-the hunted animal plunged into the water. He crossed an arm of the Seine, directing his course towards a small island. Before he was half way to it, several of the dogs were on his track; and, scarcely had he placed his feet on land, than he had to turn round, and front his fierce opponents.

"His attitude was proud and disdainful. The first dog, Marteau— the boldest of the pack-who approached, was gored to death by his horns. The other assailants extended their line, in order to surround him. He divined their manœuvre, and started off at a gallop for the further end of the island; but the other division of the pack which had crossed the river were about to land at this side. His enemies appeared to start up from beneath the earth. How escape them? He was between two bands which rushed towards him. He did not hesitate, but plunged into the water again, intent on returning to the banks which he had quitted.

"But hounds, whose heads he could only perceive, swam behind him, beside him, harassing him as pirates' ships might be supposed to harass some luckless vessel which flew before the wind.

"While this disastrous work was going on around the poor stag, the hunters hastened forward, and not a few of them bathed their horses' hoofs in the waters of the Seine.

"Again the stag found himself on terra firma, But his limbs were cold and stiff. Exhausted by his long run, exhausted by his resistance to the hounds, exhausted by his having crossed the river twice, he yet makes a bold face, and strikes with his horns all who approach him.

"The beholders anticipated a fierce engagement; but the King, dreading lest the victory should be bought too dear, and cost perhaps the life of more than one of the huntsmen, made a sign to Monsieur de Vinfrais, who immediately presented the gun to his majesty. Quick as thought, Charles took sure aim at the noble beast, and with a single shot brought him to the earth. The prickers rushed forward with their whips and ordered the dogs back, which, in their rage to get at their prey, were already falling on each other with deadly grasp.

"By this time the King was tired out. No hounds' fee for the dogs to-day, Messieurs!' he said as he turned to depart.

"We followed immediately; and as we passed the old church of Avon-now looking silent and solitary, for the wedding cortège was gone, the King not being in time for the nuptial benediction-my friend and I lingered behind, to give it a last look, and to ponder over the fate of some of those whose ashes lay forgotten beneath its walls"

No

A SUMMER

EXCURSION.

BY WANDERER.

(Continued.)

Hail, Scotia! for thy sports by flood and field,
Amidst the beauty of each lonely glen;
No other country ere can bid thee yield
The joys awarded to thy hardy men,
Now crouching low upon the purple heath,
Or quickly leaping from the slipp'ry crag,
The rifle levell'd towards the burn beneath,
That slakes the thirst of many an antler'd stag.
One head selected from the startled herd
With royal points, the echoing rocks resound
The trigger press'd; a second, and a third
Report from Echo, tell the mortal wound
Received by Monarch, who so lately stood
With head averted to the tainted wind,
Laving his flanks amidst the cooling flood,
Heedless of danger that then lurk'd behind.
From yonder pool, beguil'd by mimic flies,
The silv'ry salmon to the bank is drawn
By subtle angler; now he gasping lies,
The spotted trophy of the early dawn.

WANDERER.

"5. Tirfergus Glen is three or four miles south-west of Campbeltown, and is two or three miles long: source of water, Sleit Mountain and Kylipool Loch. The lands are good on the north-side of it; large trees grow alongside of the water; it flows into Machrehanish Water. serpents are seen in this glen, and it is believed that it is because the plants of the trees were taken from Ireland. It is an interesting glen, said to be named after King Fergus, and many anecdotes are told respecting it. It is in the possession of George Macneal, Esq., of Ugadale, and has belonged to the same clan for many generations back. The Macneals being a powerful clan, were connected to the

Macneals of Ireland, and had some lands there. They also kept up a correspondence with Irish gentlemen, who occasionally visited Macneal, of Tirfergus, bringing with them their harpers and bards, and enjoying themselves in splendour, according to the custom and resources of those days. A weaver, who lived in the glen, having a heavy family of young children, and his provision being rather scanty to support them during the summer, got a "cochull" (hood or mantle) which was left by one of the Irish bards, and was a mark of distinction, pointing out that the weaver was a bard. The weaver put on the "cochull," and, being very ready-witted, went away to try his success. He went on till he reached Mac Ionmhuinn, of Strath House. When he went in, Mac Ionmhuinn's bard seeing the weaver with a bard's “cochull” on him, attacked him immediately, saying, " Am bard thusa ?" ("Are you a bard?") Answer: "Cha board na i, sal mi, a dhuine." ("Neither high nor low, man.") The word "bard," in Gaelic, may be critically construed " was high. Mac Ionmhuinn's bard asked, "Ciod an tabh air an d'ainie thu do 'n bhaile ?" Answer: "Abh mo shul, abh mo ghlun is abh na h-abhann." The word "abh" in Gaelic means eyes, knees, hand, water way: ("The way of my eyes, knees, and the way of the river.")

A servant went up-stairs and told Mac Ionmhuinn that his bard and a strange bard were combating each other at a great rate. Mac Ionmhuinn ordered the two bards to come up-stairs. When they came up, Mackinven threw down a piece of gold on the table, and said that the first of them that would make a verse to the gold would have it. Mackinven's bard was clearing his throat, when the weaver uttered rapidly the following verse:

"Chuir Mac Ionmhuim nam bosa min,

Or fior-ghlan air a' bhord lom,
Chuir a bhard fein smugaide
Air a' chuid do, n bhonn."

Mackinven, of the soft hands, threw down pure gold on the table, and his own bard spat upon his share of the gold. The weaver picked up immediately the gold. Mackinven's bard made off in haste, and was no more seen. The weaver entertained Mackinven with songs and stories, of which he had abundance. Mackinven offered to support the weaver and his family if he would come and reside with him; but the weaver preferred to return to his family. Mackinven gave him a fine suit of clothes, and when he came home he amused his friends with the history of his adventures.

In those days freebooters used to come to Kintyre, and take away with them great droves of cattle. Macneal, of Tirfergus, collected his men at one time, and pursued the freebooters, overtook them at Kilocraw, fought a desperate battle with them, and was victorious, killing a number of them, and, driving the others away, coming back with the "creach," or plunder; and the freebooters never returned to Kintyre after that time. The proper name of that farm is "Tilleadh na creach," or Returning of the Plunder.

In Tirfergus Glen I have been shown part of a house (the foundation is now entirely removed) where the only Bible in Kintyre was at one time. The proprietor of Pennyland, in Southend, wished to get a perusal of it. Macneal could not venture to give the book without a

pledge that it would be returned again. The laird of Pennyland gave the charter of his land in pledge that he would return the Bible after perusing it.

I have seen in the glen a heap of stones and rubbish, which on being cleared away, a number of human bones were dug up, and a piece of gold found, in the form of a cap or crown; the gold was very pure, but not worth much.

This glen, beautiful and fertile, is about five miles north of Campbeltown; the river flows from west to east four or five miles, and falls into the Sound of Kilbrannan. Salmon are caught in the river and along the shore. Herrings and other kinds of fish are found abundantly off the coast. The hills are high on both sides of the glen, particularly on the north side. Time has made great alterations in this glen with regard to its inhabitants, who were very numerous last century, but now the number is very small that dwell in it. The young men of this glen were proverbial for their strength, beauty, and intelligence. About sixty years ago a great many people came on Sabbath to church from this glen, all dressed with home-manufactured clothes. The females looked beautiful with their linen caps and silk ribbons round them-far superior in elegance to the mode of dress used by females now-a-days.

A company of volunteers was raised in this glen, and their appearance attracted the notice of all who saw them, as being strong, tall, and intelligent. Donald M'Arthur, a farmer in this glen, was very intelligent; could read old Irish manuscripts, and was often sent for by the reverend and learned Dr. John Smith to read to him some of these manuscripts, from which he quoted references with regard to some of the books which that learned gentleman had written. Another man of the name of Kelly in this glen was an excellent poet; he composed some fine songs and religious poetry, which were not published, and cannot now be collected.

Straduigh Glen runs from north to south, and is about four miles long. It may be considered as only a part of Glenlussa, as it is the same river; but Straduigh being the upper part, only a small portion of it is under cultivation, and only a few families reside in it now.

Tangie Glen is six miles north-west from Campbeltown; it is three miles long from east to west. The fountain from which it flows is Lochna-Cannoch, and it falls into the Atlantic. The glen contains good arable and pasture land. M'Eachainn the proprietor, and all his offspring, with his house, on which was engraved 1670, have disappeared.

Barr Glen is twelve miles north of Campbeltown, and runs from east to west; length five or six miles; sources, Arnicle Loch and Loch Choiribidh. The soil is good, and extensive pasturage for sheep is on both sides of the glen. At the foot of the glen is M'Alister's Castle, which is a fine modern building, and has a good appearance from the highway; it is surrounded with a great many beautiful trees.

Saddell Glen is ten miles north-east of Campbeltown; it is only a short glen, running south, and falling into the sea at the old castle. Saddell House is on a plain by the seaside, and has a fine Giorsal Kelvie lived in this glen a century ago, and appearance. attended the church at Campbeltown every Sabbath, whatever might