Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 4 - 1819.djvu/185

 practicable for shepherds and deer-stalkers, and over mountains with which even the clans lying nearest to them did not pretend to be thoroughly acquainted. These difficulties were greatly enhanced by the season of the year, which was now advancing towards the beginning of December, when the mountain-passes, in themselves so difficult, might be expected to be rendered utterly impassable by snow storms. These objections neither satisfied nor silenced the Chiefs, who still insisted upon their ancient mode of making war, by driving the cattle, which, according to the Gaelic phrase, "fed upon the grass of their enemy." The council was dismissed late at night, and without coming to any decision, excepting that the Chiefs, who supported the opinion that Argyle should be invaded, promised to seek out among their followers those who might be most capable of undertaking the office of guides upon the expedition.

Montrose had retired to the cabin which served him for a tent, and stretched himself