140 BROTHERELKELD. 



PISCATOR. Do not be uneasy. That gate 

 opening into the meadow is our way. Beyond 

 are the chimneys of the farm-house, rising 

 above the trees. Though it is three years since 

 my last visit, I cannot be mistaken ; the house 

 is the last in the dale. 



AMICUS. A welcome cry, and yet in no 

 friendly guise ! What a rush of clamorous 

 dogs ! 



PISCATOR. Were other wanting, a sure sign 

 we are near the house. Those five or six 

 barking dogs are sheep-dogs; it is a harvest 

 field they are rushing from, at the sound of our 

 wheels. The people must be there ; so near, 

 we are sure of finding the house open. 



AMICUS. I thank you for bringing me to 

 Brotherelkeld, a name, you inform me, of 

 the olden time. * The house, the situation, the 

 family, are in happy keeping, all smacking of 

 the olden time, and in character with pastoral 

 life; at least, so it seems to me, at first 

 sight. I liked the hearty welcome the old 

 people gave you, and their quick recollection 

 of you. 



* Buther Elldr, the house of Buther, the older or 

 old. See " The Northmen in Cumberland." 



