233 



CHAPTER XIX. 



m'atjlay's stoeies. 



MUEDOCH M^AULAY was not only a good 

 stalker, boatman, and riglit-liand man, 

 but lie was altogether quite a character. Born 

 in Harris, he believed there was no such a 

 country in the world, and he rather looked 

 down on the Lews. His family had been 

 foresters for generations under the McLeods, 

 and afterwards under the Dumore family, who 

 came in after the McLeods. He was fond of 

 the old stocks ; and, if the truth must be 

 spoken, had no sort of reverence, respect, or 

 love for any but the old stock. He looked 

 upon all purchasers of Highland property as 

 men who had acquired their property unjustly ; 

 and I believe he would at any time readily 

 have joined in any raid to turn them out again. 

 I can understand it, for the bodies one sees 

 now in possession of some of the old High- 

 land properties are not lovable specimens of 

 humanity, and seem utterly out of their places 



