298 THE DEER FORESTS OF SCOTLAND. 



cattle." "Then show us where he is!" cried they, 

 whereupon Finlay led the way into his house, on reach- 

 ing which he called out to his wife, who had seen the 

 approaching party and quickly guessed their advent 

 boded no good, "Is the man of the house at home ?" 

 With ready wit she said, " He is on his bed, so you can 

 come in if you want him, for maybe he will not rise 

 for ye." On hearing this the whole party entered the 

 house, when Finlay, springing to where his gun and 

 dirk laid, turned and cried : " The man of the house is 

 here — who seeks him ? " The strangers, taken by 

 surprise, hastened to break out of the small room so as 

 to get a better chance of attacking Finlay, but a ball 

 from his gun killed the first, the butt-end slew the 

 next two in two successive blows, and closing with the 

 other three in a hand-to-hand fight, favoured by the 

 cramped space, he mortally wounded two more of his 

 assailants, while the third fled unhurt to the hills. 

 Two such daring deeds, coupled with the slaying of 

 eleven strong men by his single hand, earned Finlay 

 such a reputation and respect that he was ever after 



