Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-07-23
IN BONNIE SCOTLAND.
Prof. Meek Writes Of His Trip in
Other Lands.

politics. When we left Glasgow Fri
day morning on our way to the high
lands the sun was actually shininI
and the tourist bureaus oil prophesis'
clear day. A little iour-wheele'
engine, minus cowcatcher, cab ant
tender, hauled US quickly northwart
and upward, past the Clyde with 1T
hundreds Of embryo ships, through
fertile farming and grazing land, but
ever upward, until the mountains
fairly met our view. As we went
higher we came nearer the clouds.
At the southern end Of Loeb Lomond
it began to rain and the sun, like a
candle in q wintry blast, went out
and left us in the darkness.
Loeb Lomond may be pretty. I've
even heard on good authority that 1t
is. Sir Walter, contrary to his usual
wont, raved about it and called it the
"Queen OF Scottish Lakes" Wealthy
Englishmen spend millions for the
privilege Of living on Its banks. The
lower end is wide and studded with
islets. The upper part is narrow
and bounded by massive Ben Lomond
on the east, and crags almost as high
on the west. I could close my eyes
and wax enthusiastic, but the truth
is, we sailed up the Queen Of the
Scottish Lakes in binding rain and
with much sorrow / must confess
cannot bear witness to its beauties.
Near the head Of the lake we spent
the night in the Inversnaid hotel.
This is the land Of the gallant Rob
Roy, and il be took his meals at the
above mentioned hotel it's no great
wonder he was a wee bit Of a free.
booster and robber bold. He had to
get even with the world in some way.
In the dusk Of evening, and the ever
present rain, we clambered up the
lake side to his cave. Crags and
boulders are heaped on each other by
giant hands, and it is as wild a spot
as mind could well imagine. The
cave is but little more than crevice
in the rock and I'll wager it didn't
make very easy resting place.
The next morning at 4 o'clock, for
days come early here, jumped out
Of bed and gave a yell when l saw
the sunshine. We took look at the
Tnversnaid Falls where Wordsworth
wrote his "Highland Girl" ate a
hearty breakfast and started on our
tramp to Stronachlachar at the head
OF Loeb Katrine, FIVE miles away.
The way was set off by green clad
hills, pasturing sheep and matched
cottages. ..
Our hearts quickened at the first
sight of Loeb Katrine, and it took no
will power to put ourselves In that
romantic mood which invests the
home Of the Lady Of the Lake. We
sailed to Its eastern end and felt that
we had travelled fairy land. Here
was the scene Of Scott's great poem,
Ind to appreciate it fully we resolved
20 trace Fitz James path along the
AXE shore. To our right was the
BALD head OF old Ben.an, aud there
perhaps the rugged hill that cost the
life Of the gallant gray. Through
his brake led the twining path to
where far projecting precipice seem.
ugly forbade the way. But we, too, .
Won the airy point by the aid Of broom
nd hazel ladder. 1t was then l first
pprecisted the lines;
zone Furnished sheet of living gold,
Loeb Katrine lay beneath him roll'd.
In all her length farwinding lay,
With promontory. creek and bay; n
And islands that, empurpled bright, a
Floated amid the livlier light;
And mountains, that like giants stand, "
To sentinel enchanted land" r
Opposite was high Benvenue. Be- a
ween, the lake, on whose smooth a
uriace, to the left, was Ellevis isle, "
nd at our feet the silvery strand.
he noise OF falling water was the
ound Of winding horn. and we
escended hoping TO see the light "
kiff again shoot into the bay, and \
erhaps to meet the guardian Nsiad y
the strand. But the beach was II
are, and two beggar girls completely u
roke the spell. p
Walking thus far had been such VI
recess, that, although we bad coach p
2 tickets, we decided 10 walk to "
berioyle, some twelve miles away. ~