A sturdy keeper would carry the bags and the luncheon they should partake of on the hill.
But the young Englishman was full of life and go. After a hearty breakfast they started; Flora standing in the porch waving her hand to them, but with tears of sorrow in her eyes because she too was not allowed to go.
Viking was daft with joy, feathering round and round in wide circles, and now and then turning Dash, the Gordon setter, over on his back in the snow.
They passed the forest, now leafless and bare, and taking to the right, the ground soon began to rise.
The sheep under the charge of a plaided shepherd and his dog, were busy scratching away the snow to feed on grass and succulent mosses--a cold kind of breakfast, to say the least of it.
The ground rose and rose.
The dogs were kept well to heel, for indeed their services were but little needed.
Ha! here are hare-tracks!
"Take the front, Frank," said the laird; "you are the guest, and must have the first blood."
Frank's heart beat high with excitement, and he carried the gun low with a finger on the trigger.