With some difficulty they followed him by the brink of the stream, as, with their bags on his arm, he led the way. The glen became darker and narrower; gloomy firs, through which the summer wind moaned sadly, replaced the varied wood; a lofty mountain interposed its precipitous rocky side between the stream and the sun, which seemed never to shine on its troubled waters. As if placed as far as possible within the dark ravine, stood the house of Glen Bogie, and immediately behind it rose a grove of firs. "What a beautiful sketch this would make!" said Helen, as they came suddenly upon a foaming torrent, which, descending the hill-side, emerged from the rocks, heather, and stunted trees, and fell into the stream by which they were guided. "We must have it, Bayntun," said Hardy. "The stream is swollen by yesterday's rain, and by to-morrow would appear to less advantage." "I shall gladly attempt to render it justice," answered Bayntun, "but it must be a work of time." "If you do not mind remaining, I will take Mrs Hardy and my sister on to the house and return to guide you, for I am sure they must be tired," said Hardy. Both ladies owned to considerable fatigue, notwithstanding their enjoyment. In answer to Bayntun's inquiries, their guide assured him that he would have no difficulty in finding his way to the house alone, which he preferred. Hardy and the two ladies then climbed the rocks from which the waterfall issued, and crossed by an old stone bridge; then again descending to the stream they had left, they followed it till they arrived opposite to the house, when they were greeted by furious barking from a number of dogs which simultaneously rushed from every angle of the building, ranging savagely up and down the waterside. They were soon hushed by the appearance of a stout middle-aged woman, dressed in a gown of dark blue linsey-woolsey and a snow-white cap, who came out to see what had caused their noise. "Yon's Mrs Cameron," said the guide; and in answer to her greeting, which was in Gaelic, and shouted with the full force of her strong vocal organs, he apparently told her who her guests were, and the cause of their coming. "Any from Glennaclach are welcome to my roof," said she in English, surveying them for a few minutes with her head on one side and her arms folded across her portly person. "Go you round to the bridge, and I will meet you; the lads are all away, but they'll be at home the night, and meantime I will make you as welcome as a lone wife may." Still shouting to them across the stream, she stepped out firmly over the loose stones and met them on a high arched stone bridge, bestowing on each a hearty shake of the hand, and on Hardy a hearty thump on the shoulders, accompanied by the compliment-- "You've a right honest face, my lad." She then spoke with respectful interest of the family at Glennaclach. "There's no race like the Stewarts, meet them when and where you will," added she.