Year: 1861

The following narrative ofa night among
the wilds of Invernesshire, is related 20 IL,
by one ola party of three young English
gentlemen, who missed their way, slept on
the mountains, and fortunately survive to
tell the tale:


"We started from Ballachuli> n on Wednes-
day morning, after a delightful bathe in Loeb
Leven and a hearty breakfast, our intention
being to reach Fort William that night. We
had had some days training, and having
only our knapsacks to carry, we thought
ourselves able to accomplish the task before
nightfall. We passed through the stupend-
GUS yet beautiful vale Of Glanco and at
about five o'clock in the afternoon we reck-
oned that we were still some twenty miles
from the place ofour destination. Although
we had no doubt that we were on the right
road, fate tempted us to ask an ill-looking
fellow, whom we met on the way. whether
there was not shorter cut well, yeS,'
said he, there is, but it is main bad road,
and no path However, as we were by this
time getting hungry, and anxious to save
our steps, we pressed him to point it out to
Us. He then instructed US to 90 down the
valley about three miles, cross the river
Leven, ascend the mountain on the other side,
and go straight across the country for about
six miles, keeping in sight hill he pointed
out to us as landmark, when we should
come to shepherds house down in the
valley, whence there was a path to Fort Will
liam. Fools that we were, we accepted his
direction, repaid his seeming courtesy with
some tobacco, and pushed forward in the
way he had pointed out In about an hour
we reached the Leven, rushing along like a
young Niagara. This we forded, the water
being up to our middle, and nearly carrying
US off our feet. We started up the hill
such clmb-we were an hour in accom-
plishing what could not have been more than
q mile or two, and which, although we were
in capital spirits, considerably took the wind
out offs. twas now past seven, and even-
ing was closing in but all huryied on, up
hill and down dale, through bog, long damp
] grass, and fern, yet the mountain we were
TO keep in view as our landmark never seem
ed to be any nearer. We began to wish we
had kept the beaten track J; but, strange
though it may seem, we never thought OF
turning back. On, on we walked, till
darkpess was around US, and we became now
fully sensible that the mists were gradually
rolling down the hills like gigantic snow
flakes into the valley and, to add to our
troubles, one of the party began to break
down.


TWAS now, for the first time, We became
seriously alarmed and, dragging our weary
companion along with us, we hurried on in
the vain hope Of finding the shepherds hut


Alas, we were afterwards told that no such
hut had ever existed in that direction, no,
ever was likely so to do, nor was there evel
any road or a trace Of one, Not a sound save
our own hushed voices was to be heard.
was close upon nine clock, and nearly lark
Our landmark had long since disappeared


and we were at length impressed with tn,


idea that we were lost. Now, indeed, WI


began to be seriously alarmed. We were al
hungry and soaking wet, but not exhausted
Our last drop ofwhiskey had been drank
and little oaten cake was all we had witt
us. Fear gave us strength for we knew
that to rest where we were would be certail
death. We were in marshy ground, an,
nothing to shelter Us from the dense fog
twas too late to rctrace our steps, even ha