VISITS TO ABERDEEN FRIENDSHIP. 361 



of the tall Reed Grass (Arundo phragmites), which he had 

 found at the loch. Arrived at the street, he duly inquired 

 at every door for " Jamie Black." No one knew such a 

 person, or protested they did not, amidst gathering mirth, 

 as increasing numbers stood in their doorways to watch 

 the curious inquirer. To and fro the old man went, 

 vainly seeking for his unknown friend, saying he did live 

 there the last time he called, and gradually becoming 

 bewildered in the search. Happily, he was noticed from 

 Mr. Black's house, and one of the daughters was sent out 

 by the mother to bring home the old man, amidst the 

 ill-concealed smiles of the whole neighbourhood ; and in 

 John was hurried, grass, bundles and all. Mr. Black was 

 then from home, but on his return, heard the whole scene 

 fully rehearsed by the ladies, amidst their mingled indigna- 

 tion and merriment. As Mr. Black, in relating the story, 

 pertinently asks, Who does not try, at least in public, to 

 forget the name his mother called him by ? 



On another occasion, some years after, John had been 

 walking a great distance as usual, and came to James's 

 house carrying two immense bundles. He was utterly 

 exhausted, and looked the very picture of age, except that 

 he was not hoary, being brown, shrunk, and dry as a mummy. 

 He was clad " in the same garments as he had worn forty 

 years before at Netherton," as James told Charles when 

 writing to him on the subject. After dinner, though much 

 refreshed, he still looked fatigued, and his friend determined 

 to do the kindly and heroic and to brave all public criticism, 

 by carrying one of his bundles. These were large, done up 

 in faded coloured handkerchiefs, wound about with in- 

 numerable strings. Being as round and as unindented as 



