HIGHLAND WEDDING. 151 



a score, and having met their minister at the appointed 

 place, had the important rite performed, and then, 

 in the most business-like manner, turned their faces 

 homewards. Halfway back however a ferry had to be 

 crossed ; and as the ferryman, an old friend, could not 

 leave his post to join in the festivities at home, what more 

 neighbourly than to stay and dance with him there ? 

 At once therefore forming into couples, they ranged 

 themselves on the deck of the ferry-barge, and 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 tiU 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 ttigh- 



