14 The Naturalist of Cumbrae. 



bit, and a cord for reins, apparatus which could be 

 pocketed when not in use. One incident in the 

 history of this moorland Pegasus must be given as 

 Mr. Robertson himself relates it : 



" At this time the animal was still wholly in my 

 charge, without any restriction as to riding him, and 

 they rather thought that I was too good to him, as 

 they knew that I often took him little presents to eat. 

 It was never known what he could do, till one day 

 the mistress, as expected, was taken ill, and a 

 messenger was sent off on horseback to Strathhaven, 

 about four miles distant, for the doctor. As her 

 illness increased, and there were no signs of the 

 doctor coming, her mother became alarmed lest her 

 daughter should die before he arrived. It was known 

 that the doctor's horse was renowned for speed, and 

 that it had had time enough to have reached the 

 house, so that, from his not appearing, it was feared 

 that the doctor might have been called away to some 

 other part of the country. 



" It so happened that, when I came home that 

 evening, I had brought the colt with me, and I was 

 sent off to meet the doctor and hurry him forward 

 with all speed. Away I went at a moderate gallop, 

 and, before I had gone much more than a mile, met 

 him coming along at a good trot. I told him that, 

 if he did not hurry, my mistress would be dead be- 

 fore he got there. The single cart-track was all we 

 had of a road, and he told me to get out of the way 

 with my cuddy and let him pass. ' My cuddy ! } 

 thinks I, ' we will see.' Within about half a mile of 

 the house there was a gentle incline uphill, and I 



