JOHN MORE. 203 



a tablecloth, and the other spread on his lordship's knees. 

 The fire, which glimmered in the centre of the room, was 

 then roused, and made to burn more freely. This proceeding 

 denoted that John had some provisions to cook; from a 

 dark mysterious recess he drew forth a fine grilse, already 

 split open and ready for being dressed. By means of two 

 long wooden spigots, which skewered the fish, and the points 

 of which were stuck into the earthen hearth, the grilse was 

 placed before the burning peats, and turned occasionally. 

 Soon after a suspicious-looking piece of meat was placed 

 over the embers ; and when all was cooked, John placed it 

 upon the box before his chief, saying " John More's fattest 

 dish is ready :" adding, that the salmon* was from one of 

 his lordship's rivers, and the meat the breast of a deer. 

 Lord Reay asked for a knife and some salt ; but John 

 replied " that teeth and hands were of little use, if they 

 could not master dead fish and flesh ; that the deer seasoned 

 their flesh with salt on the hill, whilst the herring could not 

 do so in the sea ; and that the salmon, like the Durness 

 butter, was better without salt." 



John produced, also, some smuggled brandy ; and pressed 

 his lordship to eat and drink heartily, making many remarks 

 on the manliness of eating a good breakfast. 



The chief thought this a good opportunity to endeavour 

 to make a proper impression upon his lawless host ; and, 

 after having been handsomely regaled by plunder from his 

 own forest, determined to act with such generosity towards 

 More as would keep him within reasonable bounds in future. 

 " I am well pleased, John," said he " that although you 

 invade the property of others, you do not conceal the truth, 

 and that you have freely given me the best entertainment 

 that your depredations on my property have enabled you 

 to bestow. I will, therefore, allow you to go occasionally 

 to Fionavon in search of a deer, if you will engage not to 

 interfere with deer, or any sort of game, in any other part 

 in my forest." 



More could never tolerate any restraint, and his answer 

 was begun almost before Lord Reay had finished his hand- 

 some offer. 



*A grilse is supposed to be a young salmon. 



