166 FORAYS AMONG SALMON AND DEER. 



head of the board ; I, as a stranger taking the post of 

 honour. We were shortly joined by .the bride on one 

 side of the table, and the bridegroom on the other, and 

 then followed as many of the " profanum vulgus " as 

 could be accommodated with seats. Occupying the 

 position I did, I was informed that it was expected I 

 should toast the bridal pair, a duty which, not being 

 able to express myself in appropriate Gaelic, I per- 

 formed briefly in English, wishing them " a long life 

 and happiness, plenty of chicks, and a warm roost." 

 We then partook of bridecake, which, with the usual 

 ring and sixpence, afforded abundance of merriment. 

 Other toasts followed, interspersed by songs in Gaelic 

 or English, everything being conducted with a pro- 

 priety which would throw into the shade many a similar 

 festivity in polite society. Indeed, save perhaps one 

 or two objectionable expressions let fall by the roud 

 retired " military " Rorie, not a coarse word nor a rude 

 remark was heard to mar the decorum of the evening. 



Toddy having been discussed, no one taking beyond 

 a second glass, and those only small ones, we returned 

 to the ballroom, while others in turn were regaling 

 themselves. For that purpose the musician now 

 absented himself, one or two of the men acting as his 

 substitutes, by " chanting " reels for the others to dance 

 to, preserving the measure and cadence of the bagpipe 

 in a wonderful manner. 



For some time I looked on, entertained by the 

 demure modesty of the maidens, the agility and anima- 

 tion of the men, and the curious musical exhibition. 

 How men could keep up an imitation of the incessant 

 drone of the pipe without any perceptible pause, was 

 a marvel; yet they did so, though the perspiration 

 seemed to ooze through every pore from the exertion, 

 and their countenances became almost livid. Presently, 



