People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 November 1893 — ACROSS THE DEEP. [ARTICLE]

ACROSS THE DEEP.

An Afternoon Rumble Along Ike Shores of Vuua; her. t Oct. Iti. TH. Our stay at the little village near the Bridge of Turk w’as shortened by the necessity of reaching before night a place which could satisfy the requirements of at least three pedestrian travelers. One loses half the beauty and real pleasure of travel in this country of short distances if he mounts a railway train or even a coach. A country, whose every clod has some heroic deed or tale of romam e associated with it, can not be seen or appreciated on a lightning express. So our party improved every opportunity to walk through this section of the country. Our path from the above mentioned village led us along the northern bank of Loch Vanacher—a lake some nine miles in length and so narrow that we were in constant sight of the opposite shore. It may be well to add that one who cares nothing for absolute scenery would find little interest in this section of the country. It is the retreat of those of Scotland who desire to have a few days away from the busy affairs of the city. So as we walk along the shore of the quiet, peaceful Loch we discover many summer cottages as well as peasant or shepherd homes. After leaving the Trossahs mountains with their “rustling leaves and murmuring fountains,” we soon came within view of “the varied realms of fair Montieth.” It was not long until we rested at Boilantogel's Ford the place assigned by Scott as the place where James Fitz James and Rhoderick Ohn engaged in their combat. I hardly think it necessary to apologize for refering so of ten to the poem that has immortalized this section to the full extent of great descriptive and poetic powers. This ford is a very narrow place in the lake and it was here that James was escorted under the protection and care of Rhoderick. As we rested on the bank in vain did we whistle as Rhoderick had done centuries before, in the hope that we might conjure into being the warriors who had burst forth from crag and nook only to fall back into the earth, as it were, at the wave of his hand. Apparently American melodies are not as effective on the Highland warriors as the wild note of his chief. But all was as silent as the ages save the echo of our voices as they were sent from crag to shore and escaped over into the plain beyond or stole clamorously up some small vale to be melted into a hundred echoes. Fitz-James was brave but so were we, and although cheated in our attempt to call back the actors of the deeds so sacred in the Highlander’s breast we were not robbed of the natural loveliness of the spot which could not have lost much of its old time, beauty. As we passed on Ben Ledd could be seen on our left while the waters of Vanacher reflected on her face the dark black form of the peaks that fringe her shores. “Here Vanacher in silver flows, There, ridge on ridge, Benlidi rose.”

We had not passed far until we were conscious of leaving behind this retreat of Scottish beauty. It was growing dusk and the peaks and village reflected a sombre hue. In the closing acts of the day 'a wild and rugged scenery assumes an impressiveness which it has at no other period of the day. In the fall of the year, when forest and hill are -wrapped in that mysterious garb, which we associate with Indian summer, nature is clothed in a reflective mood and the mind unconsciously finds its way to reveries and musings. We three wandered on in the growing darkness of the evening along a road which, following the natural lay of the valley, led us into dark recesses where tall pines drew out their slender branches over our heads in effort to protect us Mother nature is ever kind, and we longed to discover the couch where Rhoderick and James “slept as brothers tried * * "Until the dawning beam. Purpled the mountain and the stream.,’ But signs of the habitations are near and it is not long until we are in the little city of Callander, which is snugly situated on the river Teith and crowded down at the foot of a mountain range of considerable proportions. This place is a famous watering resort and we soon discovered that it was not at all Congenial to our immediate tastes, so we took leave of the city on the first train to Stirling. Our ride down the valley of the

Tieth to Stirling was attended with many rural pictures, but are soon left behind with the rapid motion of the train. A few moments and you are in Stirling, the old and historic capital of Scotland. “ * * * the bulwark of the North, Gray Stirling, with her towelsund town.” If you should eliminate Stirling afid her castle from Scottish history you would create a vast void in her traditions.’ This castle has been the prize for which contending parties have fought and many are the deeds of blood and intrigue which are associated with her history. To-day. Stirling is a residence and commercial town of some 16,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the Forth about 35 miles from Edinburgh. After finding accommodations for the night our party of five started out for a ramble over the city. It was in the cool of evening and then is •when a residence town is especially congenial. Our steps were naturally led to the south of the city about one mile to the battle field of Bannackburn. This is famous in Scottish history as the place where Bruce defeated the English army under Edward I. Stilling castle had been taken by Edward I in 1304 and ten years later this battle was fought which gave it back to the Scotch. The stone is still there, protected in an iron frame, where Robert Bruce planted his standard. The English came from the south and attempted to assail his position, but in vain. Bruce had constructed pits over the field into which the English ran pell mell only to be fearfully slaughtered by his Highlanders. It was one of the bloodiest defeats the English ever suffered and after the battle—so tradition asserts —the little creek of Bannackburn ran red with blood for four days. A large flag staff marks the spot to the distant observer, erected by the Odd Fellows of Scotland. Many of the nobility of England lost their lives in this struggle of Scottish freedom against the tyranny of England. It is with great pride that the Scotch refer to this battle. A masterly review of the incidents and events which culminated in this battle can be obtained by a perusal of the “Scottish Chiefs,” by Jane Porter. In 1346, however, Bruce and one hundred of his noble chiefs were taken by Edward and Bruce was confined in the tower of London. After ten years of confinement he was released on condition of the payment of 100,000 marks. The sons of the nobility of Scotland were given as a pledge for the payment of the money.

To the southwest a distance of some three miles lies the field where James HI was defeated by his rebellious nobles in 1488, and the house is still pointed out where he was assassinated after the defeat.

As the shadows of evening deepened over the landscape we slowly drew back into the city of Stirling. It was ten o’clock and yet was sufficiently light to read‘a paper on the street which we did without inconvenience. This is, of course, due to the fact of the northern latitude of Stirling, and also that it is in the summer months. The latitude of the place is 56 degrees north. This cuts the northerly portion of Labrador and about the center of Hudson bay. So we were well on our way to the north pole. One can not well appreciate the influence of the Gulf Stream which bathes the shores of England and Scotland and northern Europe with the warm waters of the tropics until he makes some geographical comparisons.