HIGHLAND DANCING. 163 



thirty people assembled, no more than four could find 

 room to dance comfortably at once. At weddings 

 generally a piper is engaged, and as all present are 

 expected to contribute towards paying him, he not 

 unfrequently makes a good day's work of it. Here 

 however no piper could be had, the district not sup- 

 porting one, and his place was therefore filled by a 

 self-taught youthful fiddler, whose physiognomy, most 

 expressive of musical taste, was not belied by the skill 

 with which he drew the tones from his crazy in- 

 strument. No sooner did Willy commence scraping at 

 his chords than there was a general rush towards 

 the ladies ; all however by tacit consent fell back save 

 two, who were allowed to draw their partners from the 

 assembled fair. And the four taking their stand in the 

 ceutre of the room, music struck up and dancing 

 began. The exact uniformity of time kept by all was 

 most remarkable. Though going through their various 

 steps with the most scrupulous care, all seemed to 

 move with perfect ease, and yet so good and true were 

 their ears, that their every motion, to the very clinking 

 of their heels, corresponded with the exactness of clock-' 

 work. 



The two men who first stood up were fine specimens 

 of the Highlander. Though in years but striplings, 

 they were both above six feet in height, with shoulders 

 broad and stalwart in proportion ; and when they 

 warmed with the excitement, and each wildly tossed 

 one arm in the air, while with the other he whirled 

 round a winsome lassie, they presented a picture worthy 

 the canvass of a master. On the music ceasing, the 

 reel terminated, and there was a general call for Rorie. 

 Who Rorie was I of course was ignorant ; but I was 

 not destined to remain long in the dark; for very 

 speedily a small dingy object rolled himself out of a 



