CHAP. xix. LOSES HIS BUSINESS. 313 



he was always back to Thurso to resume his work on 

 the same evening. During the interval, he had been 

 rambling over the county, and sometimes walking from 

 fifty to eighty miles wandering under the red sand- 

 stones on Dunnet Head or travelling to Reay, the 

 Dorery Hills, or Strath Halladale. His journeys to 

 Morven were usually made on the fast days, which 

 gave him a day extra. 



He lost his business principally through excessive 

 competition. When he first went to Thurso, there was 

 only another baker besides himself. He was then com- 

 fortable enough, though he did all his work himself, 

 never employing either a journeyman or an apprentice. 

 Two more bakers commenced business in 1856. Each 

 of these took a certain share of his trade ; and, of 

 course, his business fell off. Writing to his sister in 

 May 1856, he said: " The mischief done me can never be 

 repaired here. I've lost much, and am still losing ; and 

 what is worst of all, I am losing my health. I have 

 not had a day's health since February last, and good- 

 ness knows that if I had to take to my bed all would 

 be over. And is it not very hard, and a poor reward 

 for the twenty-five years of toil and privation that I 

 have had ? Very hard indeed ! I wish I could get 

 away ; but where to, or what to labour at, I know not. 

 To go abroad seems ridiculous in every way, as I would 

 either have to try to be a shepherd or a day-labourer. 

 Sometimes I think I might contrive to work in a malt- 

 kiln, but perhaps I could not get that even if I tried. 



" And thus my existence is embittered. Years, many 



