Page:A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland - Johnson (1775).djvu/353

 Our light showed no tokens of a feculent or corrupted atmosphere. Here was a square stone, called, as we are told,.

If we had been provided with torches, we should have proceeded in our search, though we had already gone as far as any former adventurer, who are reported never to have returned; and, measuring our way  it more than a hundred and sixty, the eleventh part of a mile.

Our measures were not critically exact, having been made with a walking pole, such as it is convenient to carry in these rocky countries, of which I guessed the length by standing against it. In this there could be no great errour, nor do I much doubt but the Highlander, whom we employed, reported the number right. More nicety however is better, and no man should tra-