BOYHOOD IN GALLOWAY 25 



for a pack of unfortunate, half-drowned rats of 

 boys ! 



The guidwife was very sympathetic — said it was 

 a "wat, coorse nicht to turrn a body out in," but 

 beyond a hearty good tea, which she set before us 

 in the kitchen, that was all the consolation she 

 could offer. 



We humbly inquired where a "body" could get 

 put up for the night. Well — there was a path 

 over the hills to Newton Stewart, fifteen miles 

 away ; but she feared we should not be able 

 to find it. We thanked her for the information, 

 and asked the name of the nearest house where 

 we could get a roof over our heads : she told us 

 Craignell. 



Good heavens ! — Craignell ! Why, that was close 

 to the Brig o' Dee, where we had commenced to 

 fish that morning ; and, to take the shortest possible 

 route, it could not be less than seven miles awayl 

 Well, Craignell let it be. There was at any rate 

 a road for the last three or four miles. In the 

 meantime, let us enjoy the excellent scones and jam 

 put before us. 



We were not alone at tea, for a black lamb 

 and a delightfully clean little pink pig gambolled 



