Summer at the Lake of Monteith

Inchmahome. 1 7
with hook and bait attached to its leg. The poor goose
would not proceed far before some huge pike would pounce
upon the bait, and then began " the tug of war." As soon
as the fish found itself hooked, it would dart far amid the
blue waters, dragging the unwary goose below the surface ;
but, instantly recovering itself, the noble fowl would flap
.his wings and make the vain endeavour to fly off, but
would be again and again drawn back. By-and-by, how-
ever, the distinguished member of the farm-yard would
prove too much for its adversary, and the floundering pike
would be landed in triumph.
Interesting as every spot on the Island of Inchmahome
is — its ruined walls, its " sky -roofed halls," the King's
walks, and the Queen's garden, — yet there is none so full
of deep interest, and that tends to carry the mind back to
the dark vista of time when the mantle of oppression hung
its thick and sable folds deep around Scotland, than the
last resting-place of the heroes of other days. Side by
side sleep those early champions — warriors who had robed
themselves in martial glory in their country's cause; and
though many of them live but in tradition, and on the
stones that cover them, their memory will for ever find a
place in the bosom of an ever-grateful native population.
The first grave that attracts attention, is one immediately
in front of the entrance -gate, consisting of two figures in
sculptured stone, executed in bas-relief, representing Wal-
ter Stewart and his Countess. This Walter Stewart was
son of Alexander, the High Steward of Scotland. He
* married the second daughter of the Earl of Menteith, and
succeeded to the Earldom on the death of Comyn, who