BOYHOOD IN GALLOWAY 29 



ing at half-past five ; and, finding that the sun 

 shone brilliantly, quickly dressed and found my 

 way outside. Passing through the kitchen, I saw 

 the kind farmer fast asleep in an armchair in front 

 of the fire, with his old grey head resting on his 

 hands, where he had doubtless been all night, 

 having cheerfully given up his bed for our benefit. 

 Surely hospitality could go no further 1 Upon 

 returning from my morning stroll, I found 

 our fish, caught in the Black Water of Dee, 

 pleasantly frizzling in oatmeal and butter ; this, 

 with the usual jam and scones, washed down with 

 tea, made an excellent breakfast. As was cus- 

 tomary amongst the Galloway farmhouses, not a 

 penny would our kind host take from us in ex- 

 change for his hospitality. We certainly did leave 

 some money in a jug on our departure, but did 

 not like to ask for any lunch to take with us that 

 day, so had to be content with a small allowance 

 of bread-and-butter left over from the previous day. 

 We had already held a consultation at break- 

 fast, and had determined, as lodgings were not 

 to be obtained at Loch Dee, to make a vigorous 

 march on the village of Carsphairn, which lay 

 about twenty miles to the north-east and ten miles 



