BOYHOOD IN GALLOWAY 19 



After that we felt as strong as lions, and with 

 the kindly directions of the farmer, who accom- 

 panied us for a mile or two, eventually struck a 

 road, just as it was getting dusk, which led us 

 down to the stepping-stones on the Ken, opposite 

 to Dairy. Stepping-stones are well enough in broad 

 daylight, but in an uncertain light, with three or 

 four inches of water flowing over them, they are 

 not inviting : we therefore elected to plunge through 

 the river rather than attempt to cross them, or 

 even walk a mile round by the bridge. 



It was eleven o'clock at night when we reached 

 the inn, tired, but with renewed hunger, to find 

 that a search-party had been sent out to scour the 

 hills. An historic meal was made, and the wan- 

 derers retired happily to bed — no fear of indigestion 

 haunting their pillows. 



How we enjoyed that inn ! and how nice the 

 people were I They never scolded us for the trouble 

 we gave. We felt lazy, and revelled in the flesh- 

 pots of Dairy overmuch, I fear, after that eventful 

 Sunday. Therefore the Tuesday passed, and no 

 move was made for the lone shores of Loch 

 Dee. But on Thursday morning, two days after 



