The weather continued open and sunny for a whole week, and by the end of that time Antony found himself camping near to, and his horses stabled at, the great Highland Spa Hotel at Strathpeffer, with scenery all around him which, although the mountains were clad from foot to summit in driven snow, was charming in the extreme. But there is a charm about this romantic country in winter which does not exist when summer is in its prime, albeit then the trees are green, the wild-flowers are springing, and wild birds are singing in brake and bush and fern. Then during winter, though oak and elm and mountain ash are leafless and bare in the valleys, meadows are green, and if not borne down by a weight of frozen snow the pine-trees wave dark and glorious in the forests that clothe the hills and braes; and though lochs or lakes may be ice-bound, they afford opportunities for many a roaring game, and become for weeks at a time the paradise of the skater. But, more betoken, the rivers, which were high before the frost fell, became streams of fairy-like beauty, and the waterfalls were dream-like in their silent silver sheen. Antony was not surprised when the kindly landlord emerged from the door of the great Spa Hotel and shook Mary by the hand and Lotty too. 'So glad to see you back again, my dearie'--this to Lotty; 'how bonny you look! And here comes Wallace to shake a friendly paw, and the same old cat to rub his bonny back against my leg.--How do, pussy?--How do, Wallace?' 'There are two Wallaces,' said Mary. 'Dear me, yes,' said the hotelkeeper. 'In the pleasure of seeing you, Mrs Pendlebury, I had quite forgotten that my name also is Wallace.' He soon found out that Blake was travelling for his pleasure. 'Ah, but, sir,' he said, 'you should see this place in summer, when the lawns are all in their glory, the Italian gardens and banqueting-hall open, bands playing every night!' 'And fountains too!' said Lotty. 'Ay, my dear, and fountains, and well-dressed people from all ends of the earth. But come in, Lotty darling, and warm your toes. And you, Mr Blake, you must dine with us; a denial is out of the question.' Then striking an attitude he sang: 'Scots wha ha'e wi' Wallace dined, Scots wha at the Spa ha'e wined, A glorious welcome here you'll find From my guidwife and me.' And Antony found it. CHAPTER XVIII. SNOW-BOUND IN A MOUNTAIN-LAND. It is easy getting to a Highland home or hotel home, but it is somewhat difficult to get away again, for hospitality to strangers is part and parcel of Scottish religion. So Antony and his people found themselves prisoners in the beautiful vale of Strathpeffer for more than a week. But he must journey on at last farther and farther into the wilds of Ross and Sutherland. Although he had already made an excellent record for a winter tour, he was determined to reach, if possible, a lonely central lake near which was a hotel.