a narrow sheet of water, shut in on either
hand with dark and gloomy mountains, the sides of which are covered
every where with ferns and heather, and seem entirely uninhabited. They
descend, moreover, so steep to the water that there seems to be not even
room for a path between the foot of the mountains and the shore.

The highest peak of these sombre-looking hills is Ben Lomond; which
rises, as I have before said, on the eastern side of the loch, about
midway between the head of the loch and the outlet. At the foot of the
mountain there is a point of land projecting into the water, where there
is an inn. Tourists stop at this inn when they wish to ascend the
mountain. Other persons come to the inn for the purpose of fishing on
the loch, or of making excursions by the footpaths which penetrate, here
and there, among the neighboring highlands. There is a ferry here, too,
across the loch. There is no village, nor, indeed, are there any
buildings whatever to be seen; so that the place is as secluded and
solitary as can well be imagined. It is known by the name of Rowerdennan
Inn. It was at this point that Mr. George proposed to stop, in case the
day should prove rainy.

When the boys rose the next morning, the first thing was to look out of
the window, to see what the promise was in respect to the weather. It
was not raining, but the sky was overcast and heavy.

"Good," said Waldron. "It does not rain yet, but it will before we get
to Rowerdennan Inn."

Waldron was glad to see that there was a prospect of unfavorable
weather, for he wished to stop at the inn. He had read in the guide book
that they had boats and fishing apparatus there, and he thought that if
they stopped perhaps another plan might be formed for going out on the
loch a-fishing.

The steamer was to leave at nine o'clock. The boys could see her lying
at the pier, about half a mile distant from them. The air was misty, and
there were some small trees in the way, but the boys could see the
chimney distinctly. They dressed themselves as soon as they could, and
went to Mr. George's room. They knocked gently at the door. Mr. George
said, "Come in." They went in and found Mr. George seated at a table,
writing in his journal. It was about seven o'clock.

Mr. George laid aside his writing, and after bidding the boys good
morning, and talking with them a few minutes about the plans of the
day, took a testament which he had upon a table before him, and read a