We
scrambled up to its mouth by some natural stairs, and scrambled down into
its depths by the aid of a ladder. I suppose I have already described
this hole in the record of my former visit. Certainly, Rob Roy, and
Robert Bruce, who is said to have inhabited it before him, were not to be
envied their accommodations; yet these were not so very intolerable when
compared with a Highland cabin, or with cottages such as Burns lived in.
J----- had chosen to remain to fish. On our return from the cave, we
found that he had caught nothing; but just as we stepped into the boat, a
fish drew his float far under water, and J------ tugging at one end of
the line, and the fish at the other, the latter escaped, with the hook in
his month. J------ avers that he saw the fish, and gives its measurement
as about eighteen inches; but the fishes that escape us are always of
tremendous size. The boatman thought, however, that it might have been a
pike.
THE TROSACHS' HOTEL.--ARDCHEANOCHROCHAN.
July 5th.--Not being able to get a post-chaise, we took places in the
omnibus for the bead of Loch Katrine. Going up to pay a parting visit to
the waterfall before starting, I met with Miss C------, as she lately
was, who is now on her wedding tour as Mrs. B------. She was painting
the falls in oil, with good prospect of a successful picture. She came
down to the hotel to see my wife, and soon afterwards J----- and I set
out to ascend the steep hill that comes down upon the lake of Inversnaid,
leaving the omnibus to follow at leisure.
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