158 FORAYS AMONG SALMON AND DEER. 



while two or three of the men took it by turns to chant, 

 thus with their mouths alone performing the functions 

 of both pipe and piper, the rest commenced the dance 

 in the most determined manner. Highland flings were 

 succeeded by reels, and reels in turn made way for the 

 strathspey, until between the warmth of a blazing sun, 

 and the effect of their own exertions, they had had 

 enough of it. Whereupon the journey home was 

 resumed, after the dancing had been kept up with 

 conscientious regularity and unflagging spirit for two 

 good hours. 



Arrived at home, their numbers being now increased 

 by the accession of new comers, the whole party 

 partook of the shepherd's hospitality ; and after but a 

 few moments' rest, the dancing recommenced with 

 renewed spirit, to be kept up almost without interrup- 

 tion till the morrow's dawn. Such were the proceed- 

 ings of the day as related to me by others; those 

 of the evening and night I for the most part witnessed 

 myself, and, as I witnessed, shall relate them. 



The bride's mother having formerly been an old and 

 valued servant in the Laird's establishment, her son 

 Sandy was sent up to request, as a special favour, that 

 we would attend the party in the evening, that the 

 Southrons might witness the manner in which a High- 

 land wedding was conducted, an opportunity of which 

 I was by no means loth to take advantage. The 

 invitation therefore was accepted, and we promised to 

 vouchsafe our august presence. 



Arriving about eight o'clock, we were ushered into 

 what passed on the occassion for the banquet-room, 

 a small apartment opened to the smoke-blackened 

 rafters of the roof, and occupied by one large four-post 

 bed. Two tables were so placed so as to form one long 

 festive-board, extending down the middle of the room ; 



