26 The Naturalist of Cumbrae. 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE FOOT RACETAILORING. 



AT this time, before railway trains were running, the 

 cattle bought at fairs in the north passed over Mr. 

 Young's moor in great droves on their way to the 

 south. Mr. Young's farm was the first on the road 

 entering moorland, and by an old Act, cattle from 

 these fairs had a right to rest on the hillside for a short 

 time, but the drovers mostly agreed with the farmer to 

 have them stay all night. In that case they had to 

 be herded, to keep them on the right moor. David 

 was always employed for this purpose, because he 

 knew the ground. His hire for this extra work was 

 generally a shilling, sometimes one and sixpence. 

 This at that period was thought ample for the night's 

 watching. 



In those days pockets in the clothes of young 

 lads did not seem of so much importance as they do 

 now. There was much less to put into them. In 

 the belief that silver coins were far too precious to 

 be trusted in any pocket that he had, and for better 

 security, he used to roll every shilling and sixpence 

 that came into his possession round and round with 

 thread till the coin was quite covered. Then he sowed 



