Fox Hunting in Scotland 267 



lady, but we'll make a few calls and a doot na, ye'll be asked 

 to have a wee taste o' corn sa ye'll na hunger." 



Finally, we are off, JNl aster Thomas and liis shadow, the wee 

 Jamie, riding to the end of the lane ; the wee Jamie between his 

 father's legs, takes the reins without question. "Ye'll no be 

 late returning the night," calls the good wife after us, "supper 

 be waiting ye at seven." Once more we wave adieu and the 

 husband calls back, "JNIind that William dinna forget to feed 

 the wliite quey (heifer) in the middle box when he comes in 

 at noon." 



Bess, practically driving herself, turns the corner a bit 

 short, and the wheel scrapes the hedge in passing. "Ah, ma 

 wee mannie, what for dinna ye go wider o' the corner? Dinna 

 ye ken that Bess would run ye into the hedge cause she's too 

 lazy to go roound?" 



At the end of the lane Master Thomas and wee Jamie 

 get down with "Noo then, ma brave laddies, ga away hame 

 and, whatever ye do the day, ye'll no forget ta mind yer good 

 mither, will ye noo?" "We'll na forget it, paw," answers the 

 sturdy Thomas, as he takes wee Jamie by the hand, and 

 McDougal's pride in his sons is plain to see. "Canna ay no 

 ride King Arthur the morn, paw?" cries the wee Jamie, who 

 tliinks it a good time to close a bargain. "A dinna ken," replied 

 the father, "but a'm thinking he'll be gae weary the morn. 

 Mind yer mither and the next time King Arthur is saddled ye 

 shall ha' a wee ride." 



We had not gone far when we came in sight of a grand old 

 manor house on a rise of ground some distance back from the 

 highway, an ideal place. The house itself and even its chim- 

 ney were fairly smothered with vines. 



In the great pasture field, between the house and the liigh- 

 way, were half a dozen hunters, brood mares and their foals. 

 The great oak trees were busy with gossiping rooks ; the whole 

 effect was one of contentment, peace and happiness. "If I 



