258 JOHN MORE. 



his wild mode of life rendered him an uncouth but to- 

 lerated plunderer of the forest. 



Donald Lord Reay happening to pass near John More's 

 residence one summer morning, determined to call and 

 endeavour to reclaim him from his lawless propensities. 

 He left his attendants at some distance, that he might 

 ensure confidence on the part of his rude host. He found 

 John at home, and told him that he called to get some 

 breakfast. John was evidently proud of this visit, and 

 pleased with the frank manner in which he was accosted, 

 having been usually threatened by those in authority with 

 imprisonment and the gallows. 



" Come in, Donald," said John, in Gaelic, " and sit on 

 my stool, and you will get to eat what cost me some trouble 

 in collecting." 



His lordship entered the hut, and was soon seated in a 

 dismal corner; but John opened a wooden shutter that 

 had filled up a hole in the wall, through which day-light 

 entered, and revealed a tall black-looking box, which was 

 the only article in the house that could be used as a table. 

 John bustled about with great activity, and, to his lord- 

 ship's surprise, pulled out from the box two or three 

 beautifully white dinner napkins. One of them was 

 placed on the top of the box as a table cloth, 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 gilse, already split open and 

 ready for being dressed. By means of two long wooden 

 spigots, which skewered the fish, and the points of which 



