320 JOHN DUNCAN, WEAVER AND BOTANIST. 



Culhay Burn, for the plant grew somewhere along its bed. 

 This stream flows there between steep banks covered 

 with brushwood in places, and the old man had to grope 

 his way down its channel in search of the prize he sought. 

 But as this dirty work would have soiled his old blue coat, 

 he took it' off in the drenching pelt, and in his shirt- 

 sleeves, clambered down the burn and along a neighbouring 

 dike till he found it ! The self-denial and ardour shown 

 in the whole circumstances were extraordinary at his age ; 

 but it was only a last proof of the inextinguishable resolu- 

 tion and enthusiasm that had made him what he had been. 

 Like the keen^old soldier he was, the man died as it were in 

 battle, with his armour buckled on and sword in hand. 



He reached home early next morning, wet to the skin, 

 his stockings in holes, and his feet swollen and blistered. 

 Though worn and exhausted in body, he was sadder in 

 heart, because obliged to confess that he had failed and 

 was not now what he had been. His friend, John Taylor, 

 found him that morning in this depressed condition, and 

 consoled him by telling him that the Linncza did grow on 

 the hillock of Dalpersie, lower down than where he had 

 been.* John brightened up at once on recalling the place, 

 and with a flash of the humour of earlier days said : " I'm 

 like the fishers that ' toiled a' nicht and caught naething/ 

 There hae I been howkin' and glowerin' a' nicht for't and 

 hinna fund it. But noo I'm tell't it's on the very hill I 

 was at ! " 



The young botanist went for the plant and brought it 

 to him, cheering the old heart beyond expression. But, 



* John Taylor informs me that he knows six other stations for 

 this rarity in the Vale of Alford. 



