CH. XXV. MEET THE SHEPHERD. 91 



marks so as to be sure of finding him again, I 

 started on my march to the shepherd's house, look- 

 ing rather anxiously round at the increasing length 

 of my shadow and the diminished height of the 

 sun; the more so as I had to pass some very boggy 

 ground with which I was not very well acquainted. 

 I had not gone a quarter of a mile, however, when 

 I saw the shepherd himself making his way 

 homewards. I gave a loud whistle to catch his 

 attention, and, having joined him, I took him back 

 to show the exact place where the stag was lying, 

 in order to save myself the trouble of returning 

 the next day. Malcolm was rather an ally of 

 mine, and his delight was great at seeing the stag. 



" 'Deed, ay, sir ; it's just the muckle red stag 

 himsel' ; mony a time I've seen the bonny beast. 

 Save us ! how red his pile is !" 



" Yes, he is a fine beast, Malcolm ; and you 

 must bring your gray pony for him to-morrow. I 

 must have the head and one haunch down to the 

 house ; take the rest to your mother ; I dare say 

 she can salt it." 



I knew pretty well that this good lady must 

 have had some experience in making red-deer hams, 

 unless Malcolm was very much slandered by his 

 neighbours ; nevertheless he had promised me not 

 to poach on my ground, and knowing that I trusted 



