1 6 The Naturalist of Cumbrae. 



folks' dwelling-house was presented with a bottle of 

 whisky, with which the happy winner returned to 

 meet and treat the bride and bridegroom and the. 

 company. On one of these occasions, there being 

 some talk of the horses that were to run, David's 

 master said that he had a little rough colt (meaning 

 that which the doctor had called a cuddy), brought 

 up among the sheep on the heather, that would beat 

 the best of them, and that could be ridden by his 

 herd without saddle or bridle, boot or spur. 



After some good-natured chaffing, it was agreed 

 that the colt should run, and, as the chief interest was 

 in the speed of the animal, and as there were several 

 turnings in the road to be traversed, it was agreed 

 that the use of the pocket-bridle should be allowed. 

 The time came, and David was mounted on the colt, 

 barefooted, but wearing " huggers," which are footless 

 stockings worn to keep the legs from " hacking," that 

 is, suffering from chaps and chilblains. The start was 

 what he most feared, for his dear Donald was not 

 used to being put so suddenly to speed, and the 

 bustle was altogether strange to him. However, he 

 got away pretty well, second of the five that started. 

 He seemed instinctively to know that he was wanted 

 to be before the others, and did his best without 

 pressure, going to the front as soon as the road 

 offered an opportunity, and reaching the goal a long 

 way ahead of all the rest. Great was the hurrahing 

 when his young rider returned and met the company 

 with the bottle of whisky. He was pressed to stay 

 to the feast and share the merriment ; but, consider- 

 ing his habiliments, he preferred to go home. A 



